| 09th week of 2009 patent applcation highlights part 54 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20090054887 | Systems and Methods for Thermally Profiling Radiofrequency Electrodes - Systems and methods for providing radiofrequency (“RF”) energy to a target surgical site are provided. The systems include the use of at least one overlay which is super-imposed over an image of the target surgical site to assist the operator in evaluating parameters for performing the surgical procedure. The disclosure also include methods for creating at least one overlay and for using an overlay in surgical procedures using RF energy. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054888 | RADIATION APPLICATOR - This invention provides an elongate microwave radiator for insertion into a living body to treat tissue at a predetermined operating frequency. The radiator defines a monopole antenna at its tip. The monopole antenna includes a dielectric material surrounding the monopole. The dielectric material is configured to act as a resonator at the predetermined operating frequency, and encompasses generally the whole of a near-field radiation emitted by the monopole. In an illustrative embodiment, the dielectric material extends from the antenna a distance determined in accordance with the wavelength of the radiation in the dielectric. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054889 | Electrosurgical system - An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator, for generating radio frequency power, and an electrosurgical instrument including an electrode assembly. The electrosurgical instrument is detachably connectible to the generator such that radio frequency power can be conveyed to the electrode assembly. The generator includes a counter incremented each time an electrosurgical instrument is connected to the generator, and the electrosurgical instrument includes a memory device capable of recording the value of the counter when the electrosurgical instrument is connected to the generator. The system further includes a comparison unit capable of comparing the current value of the counter with the value of the counter stored in the memory device, and generating a signal when the difference between the two values of the counter is greater than a predetermined threshold. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054890 | Electrosurgical device with LED adapter - The present disclosure includes an electrosurgical instrument which further includes a housing having distal and proximal ends. The electrosurgical instrument also includes a light-emitting diode adapter having distal and proximal ends configured to selectively engage the distal end of the housing. The light-emitting diode adapter also includes at least one light-emitting diode disposed therein. The light-emitting diode is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source and being selectively activatable to emit light from the adapter. The at least one electrode is configured to selectively engage the distal end of the light-emitting diode adapter and adapted to connect to the electrosurgical energy source. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054891 | ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEM EMPLOYING MULTIPLE ELECTRODES AND METHOD THEREOF - A system and method for heat ablation of tissue in which energy is sequentially applied to at least two electrodes inserted into tissue. The system is comprised of a radiofrequency (RF) source for supplying RF energy, at least two electrodes configured to apply RF energy to tissue, at least one return electrode for returning the RF energy to the RF source, and a controller configured to sequentially apply the RF energy to each of the at least two electrodes. The sequential delivery of energy is determined by the measured current and voltage, the calculated impedance at each of the electrodes and the timing for each electrode. An internal load may be activated with the previously activated channel and remain on until the next channel is activated to avoid the generator from having an open circuit. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054892 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING ABLATION USING AN EXPANDABLE MEMBER - An apparatus comprises a catheter, a conductive element and a balloon. The catheter has a lumen. The conductive element is disposed along the catheter. The balloon has an interior in fluid communication with the lumen of the catheter. The balloon is formed of a conductive material conductively coupled to the conductive element. The balloon has a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054893 | GAS-ENHANCED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRESSURE SAFETY FEATURE - A pressure safety system is provided for use with electrosurgical instruments providing pressurized ionized gas to a surgical site. The pressure safety system includes a series of three cascaded pressure change members to control the pressure of gas delivered to a patient. Pressure safety apparatus for use with electrosurgical instruments providing pressurized ionized gas to a surgical site are also provided. Electrosurgical instruments utilizing the pressure safety system and apparatus are also provided. The instruments include a hand-held applicator, a portable actuator assembly and the pressure safety system to control the pressure of gas delivered to a patient. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054894 | SURGICAL OPERATING APPARATUS - A surgical operating apparatus comprises an insertion portion which has a distal end and a proximal end and which has a long axis and which is inserted into a body, a treatment portion which is disposed at the distal end of the insertion portion and which has a plurality of selectable surgical functions, an operation portion disposed at the proximal end of the insertion portion, a plurality of switches which are provided in the operation portion and which select the surgical functions, and a bulging portion which is disposed between the switches and which divides the switches and which doubles as a finger receiving portion. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054895 | DEVICE TO OPEN AND CLOSE A BODILY WALL - A medical device and method for performing transluminal procedures that reduces procedure time as well as the number of instruments used is disclosed. An elongate medical device has both a cutting tool and a suturing tool disposed at a distal end of the elongate medical device. The suturing tool includes a plurality of needles connected to one or more sutures. The elongate medical device is advanced through a bodily lumen to a position proximate the visceral wall. A perforation is formed in the visceral wall using the cutting tool. The elongate medical device and its suturing tool are advanced through the perforation and a plurality of needles are passed through the visceral wall around the periphery of the perforation. The plurality of needles are withdrawn through the bodily lumen and the perforation is closed using the suture. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054896 | CONTROL OF MUCUS MEMBRANE BLEEDING WITH COLD PLASMA - The use of non-thermal plasma to treat mucus membrane bleeding is described herein. A non-thermal plasma is generated using an apparatus having a first electrode that receives alternating electrical potentials from a power supply. When placed in an appropriate location proximate to tissue, a non-thermal plasma is generated, the second electrode being human tissue, blood, etc. To reduce the likelihood of an arc being generated, potentially causing tissue damage or pain, the first electrode is partially encapsulated by a dielectric. The non-thermal plasma is applied to the area of bleeding for treatment. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054897 | External Mandibular Distractor with Rotational Clamp - The present disclosure provides for a system for mandibular distraction which includes a rod and a first pin clamp assembly coupled adjacent a first end of the rod. Furthermore, the first pin clamp assembly includes a first clamp. The system further includes a second pin clamp assembly which includes an advancement mechanism that moveably couples the second pin clamp assembly to the rod and a second clamp. Furthermore, a swivel joint is disposed between the advancement mechanism and the second clamp whereby the second clamp is enabled to rotate relative to the advancement mechanism. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054898 | Articulating Shaper - A shaper for reaming tissue includes an articulating head operably connected to a shaft. Incremental deployment allows for a unique utility in shaping a cavity suited to the particular morphology, that is, a more customizable cavity shape may be achieved. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054899 | Method and apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy - Apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the apparatus comprising a two-piece bearing implant comprising an upper bearing member and a lower bearing member, wherein the upper bearing member comprises a screw hole for securing the upper bearing member to an upper portion of bone, and the lower bearing member comprises a screw hole for securing the lower bearing member to a lower portion of bone, and further wherein the upper bearing member comprises an upper dovetail track and the lower bearing member comprises a lower dovetail track; and a wedge comprising an upper dovetail rail which is complementary to the upper dovetail track and a lower dovetail rail which is complementary to the lower dovetail track, in order that the wedge can be introduced between the upper and lower bearing members, so as to open a wedge-like opening between the upper and lower bearing members. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054900 | Systems and Methods for Internal Bone Fixation - Internal bone fixation devices and methods for using the devices for repairing a weakened or fractured bone are disclosed herein. According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a device for repairing a fractured bone that includes a delivery catheter having an elongated shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the delivery catheter having an inner void for passing at least one reinforcing material, and an inner lumen for accepting a light pipe, wherein a distal end of the inner lumen terminates in an optical lens; a conformable member releasably engaging the distal end of the delivery catheter, the conformable member moving from a deflated state to an inflated state when the at least one reinforcing material is delivered to the conformable member; and an adapter releasably engaging the proximal end of the delivery catheter for receiving the light pipe and the at least one reinforcing material. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054901 | INSERTER DEVICE USED FOR ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY - A surgical tool for inserting an implant in a vertebral body. The surgical tool includes a shaft with a shaft thread adapted to engage the implant, a piston coupled to the shaft thread to articulate the implant from a starting linear position to a final curvilinear position, an actuator coupled to the piston to adjust a position of the implant, and an annular structure surrounding the shaft to increase a stability of an end part of the implant on an impact of insertion. A screw attached to the piston may lock the end part of the implant. A lock lever may lock the position of the piston in at least one position, and a knob may disengage the implant from the surgical tool. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054902 | TETHER TENSIONING INSTRUMENT - Various methods and devices are provided for tensioning a tether. In one embodiment, a tether tensioning device is provided and includes a tensioning mechanism adapted to couple to a tether extending along a path between at least two bone anchors implanted in adjacent vertebrae. The tensioning mechanism can be adapted to apply a tensioning force to the tether along the path of the tether to thereby move the tether along the path. The device further includes an actuation mechanism movably coupled to the tensioning mechanism such that the actuation mechanism is adapted to effect movement of the tensioning mechanism to control the tensioning force applied to the tether. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054903 | BONE FIXATION IMPLANT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A bone-fastening system includes an implant with a threaded screw, a distal nut with a threaded bore, and a proximal washer which may also be threaded. An instrument for implanting the implant includes a handle and a barrel terminating in a holder for the washer. A c-shaped bridge assembly has a first end connected to the barrel and a second end including a holder for the nut in axial alignment with the washer. A manually operated control on the instrument, coupled to an elongated element in the barrel, causes the washer to move toward the nut, thereby applying compressive pressure to bone portions to be fastened together. A drive mechanism disposed within the barrel has a distal end with a holder for the screw and a proximal end that is turned by a user, thereby advancing the screw through the washer to the nut to fasten the bone portions under compression. The manually operated control is preferably a trigger that is squeezed toward the handle by a user. A separate control, also preferably in the form of a trigger, is used to release pressure on the elongated element in the barrel, enabling the implant to be easily removed from the implant once in position. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054904 | Methods and devices for eye surgery - A device for removing undesired tissue such as residual tissue, epithelial cells and/or other undesired material(s) from an inner surface of a lens capsule of an eye, includes an elongated body [ | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054905 | Embolization coil delivery systems and methods - A system and method for ultrasonically guided endoscopic (EUS) delivery of one or more embolization coils to an internal body site. The embolization coil delivery devices are preferably ultrasonically guided to the selected internal body site after being advanced through the working channel of an endoscope with its distal end located near the selected internal body site. In one aspect, the system and method may be utilized to deploy an embolization coil into a lesion to promote thrombosis and/or prevent bleeding. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054906 | MEDICAL DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING AN IMPLANT TO AN ANATOMICAL SITE - A medical device and method for providing an implant to an anatomical site are disclosed. The medical device generally comprises a sleeve having first and second ends, a cutting frame coupled to the second end, and a rod received in an inner bore of the sleeve. The cutting frame defines a guide configured to direct a cutting tool for reciprocal motion along a cutting plane. When the implant is positioned within the inner bore, the rod and sleeve are used to gauge a depth of the anatomical site and to advance a portion of the implant beyond the cutting plane. The implant may then be cut to an appropriate size to fit the anatomical site. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054907 | FLEXIBLE TUBE FOR CARTRIDGE FILTER - Embolic protection filtering devices and methods of making and using the same. The present invention may include an embolic protection filtering device including a filter cartridge that is slidable over medical devices, for example, guidewires. The filter cartridge may have a filter coupled thereto and may have desirable flexibility and trackability characteristics. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054908 | Surgical instruments with sensors for detecting tissue properties, and system using such instruments - A system is provided that furnishes expert procedural guidance based upon patient-specific data gained from surgical instruments incorporating sensors on the instrument's working surface, one or more reference sensors placed about the patient, sensors implanted before, during or after the procedure, the patient's personal medical history, and patient status monitoring equipment. Embodiments include a system having a surgical instrument with a sensor for generating a signal indicative of a property of a subject tissue of the patient, which signal is converted into a current dataset and stored. A processor compares the current dataset with other previously stored datasets, and uses the comparison to assess a physical condition of the subject tissue and/or to guide a procedure being performed on the tissue. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054909 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF ACTUATION IN ROBOTIC DEVICES - The embodiments disclosed herein relate to various medical device components, including components that can be incorporated into robotic and/or in vivo medical devices. Certain embodiments include various actuation system embodiments, including fluid actuation systems, drive train actuation systems, and motorless actuation systems. Additional embodiments include a reversibly lockable tube that can provide access for a medical device to a patient's cavity and further provides a reversible rigidity or stability during operation of the device. Further embodiments include various operational components for medical devices, including medical device arm mechanisms that have both axial and rotational movement while maintaining a relatively compact structure. medical device winch components, medical device biopsy/stapler/clamp mechanisms, and medical device adjustable focus mechanisms. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054910 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR COMPUTER ASSISTED DISTAL LOCKING OF INTRAMEDULLARY NAILS - A method and a device for computer assisted distal locking of intramedullary nails comprising the steps of: A) establishing a virtual geometric representation of an intramedullary nail ( | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054911 | SURGICAL THREADING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USING SAME - Described herein is a threading device that includes an elongated rod having first and second opposite ends, and a suture having first and second opposite ends. The first end of the suture is associated with the rod. The rod is at least partially covered with a coating that secures the first end of the suture to the rod. The second end of the suture extends outside the coating. This provides a threading rod having a suture permanently attached thereto. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054912 | Systems and Methods for Treating Septal Defects - A system for treating a septal defect having an implantable treatment apparatus and devices for delivering the implantable treatment apparatus, devices for controlling delivery of the treatment apparatus and methods for treating a septal defect are provided. The implantable treatment apparatus is preferably implantable through a septal wall or portion thereof. The treatment system can include a flexible elongate body member, a delivery device configured to deliver the implantable apparatus, and a proximal control device for controlling delivery of the implantable apparatus, among others. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054913 | Blind rivet for adapting biological tissue and device for setting the same, in particular through the instrument channel of an endoscope - A self-piercing blind rivet is provided for apposing biological tissue together with a device for setting the same, especially through the instrumental channel of a flexible endoscope. Without the help of further instruments, it is possible to fix, approximate and appose tissue layers, the contact force while connecting the tissue layers being adjustable. The rivets are stored in the setting device, so that they can be applied in order. The rivet and setting device enable the surgeon to combine tissue discontinuities conveniently by means of an endoscope. The surgical procedure is simplified further because the rivets can remain in the body. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054914 | Controllable Gastric Band - The invention relates to a controllable stomach band ( | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054915 | OBSTRUCTION OF UTERINE ARTERIES TO TREAT UTERINE FIBROIDS USING MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTS TO TWIST THE VESSELS - A device for degenerating a fibroid comprises a gripper mechanism sized and shaped so as to grip a uterine artery and a rotating mechanism attached to the gripper mechanism. The rotating mechanism may be rotated so as to rotate said gripper mechanism, thereby twisting a gripped uterine artery so as to obstruct blood flow through the artery. In a method of degenerating a uterine fibroid, the aforesaid gripping device is used to catch hold of a uterine artery and is rotated in a direction so as to twist the uterine artery about itself, thereby obstructing blood flow to the uterine fibroid. The gripping device is held in place for a period of time needed to degenerate the fibroid. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054916 | CLIP-BASED METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF UTERINE FIBROIDS BY OBSTRUCTION OF THE UTERINE ARTERIES - A device for degenerating a fibroid comprises a pincher mechanism capable of pinching a uterine artery with a force sufficient to substantially obstruct blood flow therethrough. The pincher mechanism is sized and shaped so as to access the uterine artery through a wall of a patients vaginal vault. In a method for degenerating a uterine fibroid, the aforesaid pincher mechanism is, closed about a uterine artery so as to block the flow of blood therethrough. The pincher mechanism is maintained in the closed position for a period of time-necessary to degrade or kill the fibroid. After such time has, passed, the pincher mechanism is opened, removed from around the artery such that normal blood flow resumes. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054917 | Device for clamping organic tissue - A device for clamping off organic tissue has a tissue clamp with clamping bars in holders. A proximal clamping bar can be displaced in a guide groove of an application crosspiece by a tappet, while the distal clamping bar maintains its position until the tissue has been clamped off. The clamping bars have guide pin, or the distal clamping bar has a fixation shoulder. The pins or shoulder fit into crosswise grooves in the application crosspiece, and thus the clamping bars can be inserted into them vertically. The proximal clamping bar has a holder pin on its base that engages into a holder bore of the distal clamping bar. This produces a force-fit and shape-fit connection with this bore, while simultaneously clamping off the organic tissue. The guide pins shear off if the force required to clamp off the organic tissue is exceeded. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054918 | Thrombectomy System and Method - Disclosed is a clot and foreign body removal system, including a catheter with at least one lumen. Located within the catheter is a clot capture wire that is connected to a hub at the proximal end. In one embodiment, the clot capture wire includes a coil made out of an elastic or superelastic material, preferably nitinol. The elasticity or superelasticity of the coil allows it to be deformed within the catheter and to then reform its original coil configuration when the coil is moved outside of the catheter lumen. In another embodiment the coil is a biphasic, shape memory coil, which changes shape upon heating, energy application, or passing an electric current. Once the coil configuration has been established, the coil can be used to ensnare and corkscrew a clot or blockage in a vessel. A clot is extracted from the vessel by moving the clot capture coil and catheter proximally until the clot can be removed completely or released into a different vessel that does not perfuse a critical organ. Foreign bodies are similarly captured by deploying the coil distal to the foreign body and moving the clot capture coil proximally until the foreign body is trapped within the coil. By removing the device from the body, the foreign material is also removed. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054919 | Channel Current Cheminformatics And Bioengineering Methods For Immunological Screening, Single-Molecule Analysis, And Single-Molecular-Interaction Analysis - Analytical tools and methods employing processing of channel current blockade measurements to detect or assess changes in environmental conditions generally, and more specifically, to detect and assess interactions between a blockade-producing auxiliary molecule in the channel and either the surrounding conductive medium generally or molecules in that conductive medium. The auxiliary molecule is disposed within the channel in order to generate a highly structured channel current blockade signal. The blockade signal resulting from inducing ionic current flow through the channel with auxiliary molecule present, is based on an auxiliary molecule chosen to be highly susceptible to modulation when the auxiliary molecule interacts with other molecules in the surrounding conductive medium, or when it otherwise is modified or affected at the molecular level by changes in the physical or chemical conditions of that surrounding medium. The tools and methods enable, amongst other things, candidate antibody screening, molecular affinity and bond strength analysis and detection of a variety of changes in test media, even at the molecular level. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054920 | Single-Handed, Reduced Vibration Lancing Device - A lancing device includes a housing, at least two ramps, a lancet holder, a drive spring, and an activation mechanism. The housing includes first and second ends, and a first wall. The first end has an aperture extending therethrough and the first wall has an opening extending therethrough. The two ramps are located within the housing and forms a channel therebetween. The lancet holder is partially contained within the channel formed by the ramps and holds a lancet. The activation mechanism includes a user-accessible component and a plate spring. A portion of the user-accessible component extends through the opening and is external to the housing. The plate spring engages the ramps forming the channel and the lancet holder upon depression of the user-accessible component, the lancet holder moves towards the second end to a cocked position. Upon further depression of the user-accessible component, the lancet holder moves toward the first end to a puncture position. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054921 | TREATMENT DEVICE - A treatment device is provided including a catheter having a lumen that is opened to a distal end of the catheter; a wire passing through the lumen so that the wire is inserted into or retracted from the lumen; and a piece disposed at a distal end of the wire and having the maximum width when the piece is protruded from the distal end of the catheter is set larger than the diameter of the lumen, wherein the piece body is formed of a deformable material having a broad curved surface shape that distributes concentration of pressure acting on tissues, and when the wire is pulled in toward the catheter, the piece being extended in the axial direction by the lumen and reduced in its outer diameter so as to be pulled into the lumen. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054922 | Apparatus and Method for the Intravascular Control of Trauma - One aspect of the invention relates to a device for control of hemorrhage from major blood vessels in acute trauma. The device can be a self sizing expandable/collapsible device placed percutaneously across the site of injury and fitted with intravascular imaging to allow visualization of positioning without the need for x-ray equipment or an operating room. The expandable/collapsible device can be tapered to accommodate a large variance in vessel size and can be textured with treads to prevent movement in high flow vessels. The expandable/collapsible device can be placed at the patient's bedside, provides for vascular control during definitive repair, and can be removed after said repair. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054923 | Nasal Device - The current invention is directed to a nasal device for maintaining an air passageway within the nose while a person sleeps. The nasal device has two spaced apart tubular members joined together by a bridging section and a removable spring biased clip that is locatable to hold it in position. The clip of the nasal device prevents the device from being accidentally dislodged and can also be used by people with different nose and nasal septum size and shape. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054924 | MEDICAL DEVICE - A collapsible filter element ( | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054925 | Safe tweezers - A covered tweezers, comprising a body having two identical thin sheets of metal fused or welded together at one end resulting in a pair of free opposing ends, the free opposing ends having a different type of tip for each type of tweezers. A cover is fixed to the body of the tweezers excepting a head portion of the tweezers. A cap encloses the head portion of the tweezers. The cover is non-metallic such as plastic, wood, rubber material or fabric. The cover is fixed to the body of the tweezers, thereby avoiding the need of a case to hold the tweezers. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054926 | EXTRA-VASCULAR SEALING DEVICE AND METHOD - Various embodiments of a device are shown and disclosed for closing a vascular access puncture site following percutaneous diagnostic or therapeutic interventional procedures. In one embodiment, the closure device includes a vessel locating member, an anchor and a sealing material. The closure device may be configured to deploy the anchor and the sealing material outside of a hole in a blood vessel to close the hole. The vessel locating member may be used to locate the blood vessel to ensure that the anchor and/or the sealing material are properly placed adjacent to the hole. The closure device may also include a tamper member configured to push or tamp the sealing material against the anchor. The closure device may also include a suture that is used to hold the sealing material and the anchor together adjacent to the hole in the blood vessel. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054927 | FISTULA PLUGS AND APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR FISTULA PLUG DELIVERY - Described are methods and apparatuses for delivering fistula plugs into fistulae having at least a primary fistula opening, a secondary fistula opening, and a fistula tract extending therebetween. Illustratively, some inventive methods involve delivering a fistula plug into a fistula tract through a primary fistula opening and toward a secondary fistula opening, while others involve delivering a fistula plug into a fistula tract through a secondary fistula opening and toward a primary fistula opening. In certain aspects, a fistula plug is pushed and/or pulled through a fistula tract along a guidewire or other plug-guiding device, potentially protected by a protective delivery device such as a sheath, capsule or other suitable delivery vehicle. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054928 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COUPLING ANATOMICAL FEATURES - A method and apparatus for coupling a soft tissue implant into a locking cavity formed within a bone is disclosed. The apparatus includes a member to pull the soft tissue implant into a femoral tunnel. The member includes a suture having first and second ends which are passed through first and second openings associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. Portions of the suture lay parallel to each other within the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes retraction of the soft tissue implant into the femoral tunnel. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054929 | Apparatus for the Prevention and Treatment of Back Pain - The invention relates to an apparatus for the prevention and treatment of back pain, which is based on lumbar, dorsal and cervical strength training machines. The inventive apparatus comprises three vertebral supports which are disposed at a determined angle and which are used to strengthen and stretch (separation of the vertebral joints) the lumbar, dorsal and cervical areas of the back simultaneously in the appropriate movement plane. In order to prevent and treat back pain, once the back has been suitably positioned, all of the back must undergo simultaneous symmetrical strengthening. For said purpose, the apparatus consists of a vertical iron structure comprising three supports, which is perfectly articulated with a horizontal iron structure comprising a seat which can be used to perform seated exercises. According to the invention, the back is pushed against the cervical, dorsal and lumbar supports in order to produce symmetrical strengthening and stretching movements which can be adjusted to suit the individual using height and resistance control means, such as to have a decompressive effect on the vertebral column. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054930 | Anterior cervical staple - A surgical staple for discectomy by an anterior approach that comprises a plate with sharp-pointed projections positioned at each of four corners of the plate and extending perpendicularly there from for frictional insertion into pilot holes formed in the vertebrae, and a pair of circular apertures in the plate spaced along a centerline for insertion of bone screws. The plurality of projections may further comprise four barbed and pointed projections that a surgeon may quickly tap into the bone, thereafter securing the staple with two smaller bone screws. An Annular C shaped retention locking clip retains the bone screws and prevents counter-rotation and back out. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054931 | Spline Implant - The invention relates to a vertebral implant that is to be mounted between the lamina and/or the spinous processes of adjoining vertebral bodies ( | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054932 | Resilient Spinal Rod System With Controllable Angulation - A spinal rod/rod system for spinal stabilization is controllably bendable or flexible along its longitudinal axis to achieve a particular radius of curvature, flex, arch or angle of the spinal rod and preserve the achieved angle through a locking mechanism. The spinal rod is controllably bendable through application of a controlled axial force. Such controllable curvature allows for limited movement of the vertebrae connected by the present resilient spinal rod system. The present spinal rod is defined by a multi-component system which includes an inner spring rod and an outer rod tube. An angulation ring is threadedly attached to an end of the spring rod and provides controlled adjustment of the angle or curvature of the spinal rod through axial compression of the spring rod relative to the outer tube. Locking prevents the increase and/or decrease of angulation of the spinal rod. A titanium spacer ring may be provided that is situated between the spring rod and the outer rod tube in order to prevent and/or hinder over angulation. One or more spacer rings may be situated between the spring rod and the outer rod tube axially adjacent each side of the titanium spacer ring that act as an additional spring force in bending, and act as a shock absorber in the axial compression of the of the spinal rod. The rings may be made of various durometers. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054933 | INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS FOR TENSIONING A SPINAL TETHER - Various methods and devices are provided for tensioning a tether. In one embodiment, a tether tensioning device is provided and includes an elongate shaft adapted to be positioned adjacent to a bone anchor implanted in bone, and a tensioning mechanism pivotally associated with the elongate shaft and adapted to couple to a tether seated across the bone anchor and to pivot relative to the elongate shaft to apply a tensioning force to the tether. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054934 | EXPANDABLE FILLERS FOR BONE CEMENT - Methods, systems, and mixtures deliver a bone cement to a void in a bone, and provide an expandable filler for expanding the volume of the bone cement. The void in the bone is accessed and a bone cement material is introduced into the void in the bone. An expandable filler is introduced into the void in the bone. The introduction of the filler can take place simultaneously with the introduction of the bone cement or before or after the bone cement. The expandable filler can be expanded and the bone cement can be allowed to set. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054935 | Spinal Diagnostic Methods and Apparatus - Methods, devices and systems facilitate diagnosis, and in some cases treatment, of back pain originating in intervertebral discs. Methods generally involve introducing one or more substances into one or more discs using a catheter device. In one embodiment, a patient assumes a position that causes back pain, and a substance such as an anesthetic or analgesic is introduced into the disc to determine whether the substance relieves the pain. Injections into multiple discs may optionally be performed, to help pinpoint a disc as a source of the patient's pain. In some embodiments, the catheter device is left in place, and possibly coupled with another implantable device, to provide treatment of one or more discs. A catheter device includes at least one anchoring member for maintaining a distal portion of the catheter within a disc. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054936 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD WITH BIASED ELECTRODE - This disclosure describes implantable medical leads that include a lead body and an electrode. A width of the electrode as measured along a longitudinal direction of the lead varies about the perimeter of the lead. The uneven width of the electrode may bias a stimulation field in a particular direction, e.g., a radial or transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the lead. Electrodes with an uneven width may be useful for controlling the direction of propagation of the stimulation field in order to, for example, avoid phrenic nerve stimulation during LV pacing or neck muscle stimulation during vagal neurostimulation. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054937 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING AND ACTIVATING A PLURALITY OF CONTROL DATA - A cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, or other programmable medical device ( | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054938 | Method for Discriminating Between Ventricular and Supraventricular Arrhythmias - The present invention is directed toward a detection architecture for use in implantable cardiac rhythm devices. The detection architecture of the present invention provides methods and devices for discriminating between arrhythmias. Moreover, by exploiting the enhanced specificity in the origin of the identified arrhythmia, the detection architecture can better discriminate between rhythms appropriate for device therapy and those that are not. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054939 | Automated External Defibrillator (AED) With Context-Sensitive Help - A defibrillator system is disclosed including an operational state input, a user-operated information request input, and a user guidance output. The defibrillator system can be implemented as an AED, a manual defibrillator, or as a defibrillator trainer. The defibrillator system further utilizes the state and request inputs to determine a context-sensitive rescue information which is provided to the output. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054940 | DEFIBRILLATOR WITH IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE DETECTION - In general, the invention is directed to techniques for using an external defibrillator to detect a presence of an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a patient, and providing therapy to the patient through communication between the external defibrillator and the IMD. An external defibrillator provides prompts to a user of the external defibrillator to determine the presence of an IMD implanted within the patient. For example, the external defibrillator may prompt the user to visually inspect the patient's chest for signs that an IMD was implanted, such as a scar or raised portion of skin near the patient's clavicles. As another example, the external defibrillator may prompt the user to place a detection device on the patient's chest. The detection device may be coupled to the external defibrillator, and may employ a magnet to initiate telemetry by the IMD to detect the presence of the IMD. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054941 | STIMULATION FIELD MANAGEMENT - This disclosure describes techniques for controlling a depth of propagation of a stimulation field extending from an outer diameter of a lead body of an implantable stimulation lead. An implantable electrical stimulation lead may include a lead body, and at least one electrode arranged as a ring. An outer diameter of the ring may be different than an outer diameter of the lead body. A ring with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the lead body may be useful in limiting the depth of propagation of the stimulation field within patient tissue. A ring with a diameter greater than the diameter of the lead body may be useful in extending the depth of propagation of the stimulation field. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054942 | METHODS, DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR SINGLE-CHAMBER PACING USING A DUAL-CHAMBER PACING DEVICE - Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, methods and devices for cardiac applications including those relating to pacing devices. One such device is directed to a cardiac rhythm therapy (CRT) device designed for dual chamber pacing using two pacing signals each having a positive and negative component that has been modified for single chamber pacing. The device comprises a first output that connects to a pacing lead; a second output that connects to the pacing lead; a third output that connects to a reference point; and electrical circuitry connecting the second electrical connection to the first output, the third electrical connection to the second output, and the first and fourth electrical connections to the third output. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054943 | Methods and apparatus to treat and prevent atrial tachyarrhythmias - The invention provides a cardiac rhythm management system which includes a tachyarrhythmia detection and classification circuit programmed to detect and classify a tachyarrhythmia, a biologic therapy delivery device configured to deliver or regulate an expression cassette suitable for terminating or preventing atrial fibrillation (AF), and a control circuit coupled to the tachyarrhythmia detection and classification circuit and the biologic therapy delivery device. Also provided is an implantable medical device for use in a body having a cardiovascular system, which includes an implantable device body including at least a cardiovascular portion configured to be in the cardiovascular system, and an expression cassette incorporated into the cardiovascular portion of the implantable device body, the expression cassette selected to express a gene product that terminates or prevents AF. Further provided are methods which employ particular expression cassettes to prevent, inhibit or treat AF. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054944 | Modulation of AV delay to control ventricular interval variability - System and methods provide pacing therapy that modulates the atrioventricular (AV) delay to control ventricular interval variability. A base AV delay is determined as a function of heart rate. For each cardiac cycle, the base AV delay is modulated to reduce beat-to-beat variability of successive ventricular beats. The modulated AV delay compensates for variability of successive atrial beats. For example, modulation of the base AV delay may involve varying the AV delay inversely with a change in atrial interval. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054945 | Method, apparatus, and system to optimize cardiac preload based on measured pulmonary artery pressure - Optimizing cardiac preload based on measured pulmonary artery pressure involves varying, for each repetition of an acute burst protocol, a parameter of pacing applied to a patient's heart during the acute burst protocol. Pulmonary artery pressure is measured during the repetitions of the acute burst protocol. An optimum ventricular preload is determined based on the measured pulmonary artery pressure. Pacing therapy is provided using a value of the parameter that is selected based on the determination of optimum ventricular preload. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054946 | EVALUATING THERAPEUTIC STIMULATION ELECTRODE CONFIGURATIONS BASED ON PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES - A medical system comprises a plurality of electrodes; at least one sensor configured to output at least one signal based on at least one physiological parameter of a patient; and a processor. The processor is configured to control delivery of stimulation to the patient using a plurality of electrode configurations. Each of the electrode configurations comprises at least one of the plurality of electrodes. For each of the electrode configurations, the processor is configured to determine a first response of target tissue to the stimulation based on the signals, and a second response of non-target tissue to the stimulation based on the signals. The processor is also configured to select at least one of the electrode configurations for delivery of stimulation to the patient based on the first and second responses for the electrode configurations. As examples, the target tissue may be a left ventricle or vagus nerve. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054947 | ELECTRODE CONFIGURATIONS FOR DIRECTIONAL LEADS - A system includes an implantable electrical stimulation lead configured for intravenous introduction into a vessel proximate to a heart and an electrical stimulator. The lead comprises a lead body and at least three electrode segments. The electrical stimulator is coupled to the electrode segments and configures a first of the electrode segments as a first anode, a second of the electrode segments as a cathode, and a third of the electrode segments as a second anode, and delivers electrical stimulation to the heart via the cathode and first and second anodes. Additional techniques for delivering electrical stimulation include using multiple electrode segments as cathodes and electrically isolating other electrode segments. Other examples are directed to techniques for directing electrical therapy to a vagus nerve of a patient. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054948 | COMMAND SEQUENCING AND INTERLOCKS FOR A REMOTELY PROGRAMMABLE IMPLANTABLE DEVICE - Methods of providing a digital program request formatted by a remotely-located server are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing an identifier associated with an implantable medical device (IMD) to the remotely-located server to acquire the digital program request intended for the IMD, and validating the digital program request using a digital identification code uniquely identifying the server. In response to successful validation of the digital program request, the program request is added to a storage queue for subsequent wireless transmission to the IMD. A sequential code contained within the digital program request is compared to a second sequential code earlier processed by the IMD to verify that the digital program request is not processed out-of-order. The results of the validating step are stored in a notification queue for subsequent transmittal to the server. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054949 | LEAD BODY CONSTRUCTIONS FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL ELECTRICAL LEADS - A lead body of an implantable medical electrical lead includes a first filler and a second filler, each extending within a proximal portion thereof. The first filler may have a stiffness that is less than that of the second filler, and may surround and isolate a plurality of conductors which are coupled to a connector terminal of the lead, which connector terminal extends proximally from a proximal end of the lead body. The second filler extends along a limited length, alongside the first filler, wherein the limited length extends distally from the connector terminal; the second filler may further extend into the connector terminal. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054950 | Method and Apparatus for Treating Incontinence - A medical condition is treated using electrical stimulation of contractile tissue, such as a sphineter, as well as electrical stimulation of afferent nerves to illicite a neuron-modulation response. The device ( | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054951 | Electrode for Stimulating Bone Growth, Tissue Healing and/or Pain Control, and Method of Use - A screw for use in stimulating bone growth, tissue healing and/or pain control. The screw includes an elongate shaft having a length extending between opposite ends, an exterior surface and a screw thread formed on the exterior surface of the shaft and extending along at least a portion of the length. The shaft has an electrically conducting portion and an electrically insulating portion. The screw also includes a head adjacent one end of the shaft for engaging the screw to rotate the screw and thereby drive it into bone. The screw includes an electrical conductor electrically connectable to the shaft for conveying current through the shaft to the bone through the conducting portion of the shaft. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054952 | SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO A BODILY TISSUE - In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a substrate, a power source, a connector, electrical circuitry, and an electrode assembly. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface different than the first surface. The power source has a positive terminal and a negative terminal Each of the positive terminal and the negative terminal are coupled to the substrate. The power source is configured to provide power to an external stimulator coupled to the apparatus. The connector is disposed proximate to the first surface of the substrate and is electrically coupled to at least one of the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the power source. The connector is configured to electrically couple the external stimulator to the power source. The electrical circuitry is coupled to the substrate. The electrical circuitry is configured to electrically couple the connector to at least one of the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the power source. At least one of the connector or the electrical circuitry is configured to prevent a short circuit of the electrical circuit. The electrode assembly is coupled to the second surface of the substrate. At least one electrode of the electrode assembly is configured to contact bodily tissue and to facilitate transmission of an electrical current through the bodily tissue. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054953 | Phototherapeutic Method and Apparatus - A method of skin rejuvenation involves subjecting the skin to a first course of phototherapeutic treatment using non-laser near-infrared light over a period of between 3 days and 2 weeks; subjecting the skin to a second course of phototherapeutic treatment using non-laser red light over a period of between 1 and 5 weeks; and subjecting the skin to a third course of phototherapeutic treatment using non-laser near-infrared light over a period of between 1 and 10 weeks. The different courses are designed to stimulate inflammation, proliferation and remodelling phases in the skin. Another phototherapeutic method comprises subjecting an area to be treated to a first course of phototherapy using red and/or infrared light; treating the area; and subjecting the treated area to a second course of phototherapy using red or infrared light. The method may enhance an aesthetic treatment which relies on photothermolysis or mechanical damage. In another method, a course of phototherapy comprising discrete sessions of phototherapy, using red and infrared light separately, is used to improve wound healing. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054954 | Optical depolarization of cardiac tissue - The invention provides a cardiac rhythm management system for stimulating a heart having photosensitive tissue, vectors useful to photosensitize cells expressing the vectors, and methods for light induced depolarization of cells. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054955 | Systems and Methods for Treating Neurological Disorders by Light Stimulation - Systems and methods for treating neurological disorders by light stimulation are disclosed herein. A brain neuroillumination system includes an implantable housing; a control unit carried by the implantable housing; a neuroillumination delivery device including at least one light emission site; at least one light source operatively coupled to the control unit and optically coupled to the at least one light emission site; and a near infrared spectroscopy unit coupled to the control unit, wherein the near infrared spectroscopy unit is configures to detect an optical signal corresponding to at least one from the group of a cytochrome oxidase state and a hemoglobin oxygenation state. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054956 | MULTIPLE WAVELENGTH LASER WORKSTATION - Lasers capable of lasing at least two wavelengths are provided having a lasing medium which is capable of lasing at a first wavelength and at a second wavelength. An output coupler is positioned along a longitudinal axis at a first end of the lasing medium and a first mirror, movable beam block shutter and second mirror are positioned sequentially along the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium at a second end of the lasing medium. The first mirror is highly reflective at a first wavelength, and the second mirror is highly reflective at a second wavelength while being transparent at the first wavelength. The beam block shutter is movable between a first position along the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium and between the first and second mirrors and a second position away from the longitudinal axis of the lasing medium. Also provided are laser workstations having two lasers driven by a single electronics drive system in which a single energy storage network is connected to a first laser pump chamber operative to excite a first laser medium and connected to a second laser pump chamber operative to excite a second laser medium. In certain embodiments, a switch connects the single energy storage network to a secondary winding of a high voltage trigger transformer, which is itself connected to the laser pump chambers. These high voltage trigger transformer serve to selectively ionize the excitation source in one of the laser pump chambers such that when the switch is closed, energy from the energy storage network will flow through the pump chamber whose excitation source(s) has been previously ionized. In other embodiments, the single energy storage network is connected to the excitation sources via active semiconductor switches that permit the release of portions of energy stored in the single energy storage network to one of the lasers, leaving additional energy to be immediately or rapidly released to the excitation source of the first or another laser. Also provided are methods of treating skin having a skin problem using multiple wavelengths of laser energy. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054957 | Broad spectrum fiber optic base laser illumination - The present invention is an illumination device designed to provide efficient illumination in confined spaces and methods of using such a device. The devices of the present invention comprise a laser light source of a specifically selected wavelength or wavelengths, optical fiber(s) and one or more light converters to convert the input laser light to broad spectrum white light or a specific desired wavelength. The light converter may be integral/modular with the fiber optic assembly. The light converter may be constructed of phosphors, nanocrystals or other energy converters which are embedded within a transport material such as polymer or glass. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054958 | Method and apparatus of noninvasive, regional brain thermal stimuli for the treatment of neurological disorders - A method and device for treating neurological disorders involving the application of noninvasive, regional brain thermal stimulation to a region of a patient's head associated with a subject neurological disorder. The brain thermal stimulation method and device alters the brain function in the region of the brain underlying the region of the patient's head to which the brain cooling is applied. The method can also include the steps of adjusting the temperature and timing of the thermal stimulation process to optimize the impact on the subject disorder. The brain thermal stimulation device is comprised of a localized means for cooling or warming a desired region of a patient's brain. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054959 | THERAPEUTIC FOOT AND LEG WARMER - There is provided by this invention a foot warming device that is light weight comprising a lower foot portion and an tipper leg portion. The upper leg portion is comprised of flaps that open in the front to allow easy entry of the foot and leg and has hook and loop type connectors manufactured under the trademark Velcro to adjustably fasten to wrap the flaps around the foot and leg to enclose them within the foot warmer. Inserted between an outer covering and the insulating inner lining of the lower foot portion and the upper leg portion are electrically conductive heating elements wherein the resistance of the heating elements is designed so that when the foot warmer is connected to a source of low voltage power such as | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054960 | IMPLANTABLE LEADS WITH TOPOGRAPHIC FEATURES FOR CELLULAR MODULATION AND RELATED METHODS - Embodiments of the invention are related to leads with topographic surface features and related methods, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable lead including a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, the lead body including an outer layer defining a lumen, the lead body further including a first electrical conductor disposed within the lumen of the outer layer. The implantable lead can further include a first electrode coupled to the lead body, the electrode in electrical communication with the first electrical conductor. The implantable lead can also include a cellular modulation segment on the external surface of the lead body, the cellular modulation segment comprising topographic surface features configured to modulate cellular responses. Other embodiments are also included herein. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054961 | DRUG ELUTING COATINGS FOR A MEDICAL LEAD AND METHOD - A medical electrical lead includes a drug eluting coating provided over at least a portion of the lead body. The drug eluting coating can be provided over at least a portion of the lead body and adjacent to at least one electrode located on the lead body. The drug eluting coating can include at least one matrix polymer layer including a polymer admixed with a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent, for example, can be an anti-proliferative agent or an anti-inflammatory agent. The matrix polymer can include a medical adhesive. The rate of elution of the drug from the matrix polymer layer is affected by the drug to polymer ratio of the drug in the matrix polymer layer. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054962 | METHODS FOR TREATING THE THORACIC REGION OF A PATIENT'S BODY - A method is disclosed for the treatment of a thoracic region of a patient's body. Embodiments of the method comprise positioning an energy delivery portion of an electrosurgical device to face a segment of a thoracic vertebra at a distance from the segment; and cooling the energy delivery portion and delivering energy through the energy delivery portion. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054963 | CARDIAC PACEMAKER - ELECTRODE WITH HELICAL SCREW - A cardiac pacemaker—electrode ( | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054964 | PACEMAKER ELECTRODE WITH HELICAL COIL AND FEED LINE COIL - A pacemaker electrode ( | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054965 | Methods For Producing Embolic Devices - A vascular implant is provided. The implant can comprise a first material layer and at least one metallic material disposed on at least a portion of the first material layer in a predetermined pattern. The implant can further comprise at least one hydrophobic material disposed on at least a portion of the surface of at least one of the first material layer and the at least one metallic material. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054966 | ENDOVASCULAR DEVICE WITH MEMBRANE - An endovascular device ( | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054967 | Flexible Cells for Axially Interconnecting Stent Components - Interconnects | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054968 | IMPLANT IMPLANTATION UNIT AND PROCEDURE FOR IMPLANTING THE UNIT - The implant implantation unit ( | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054969 | Repositionable Heart Valve and Method - A method for percutaneously replacing a heart valve of a patient. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of percutaneously delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve in an unexpanded configuration; expanding the anchor to a deployed configuration in which the anchor contacts tissue at a first anchor site; repositioning the anchor to a second anchor site; and deploying the anchor at the second anchor site. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054970 | Methods and Devices for Coupling a Device Insertable within a Mammalian Body - Methods and devices for a coupler adapted and configured for use with a device insertable within a mammalian body are disclosed. The devices comprise, for example, an elongate member having a lumen therethrough; and a flange extending from the elongate member at a first end further comprising a tissue engaging surface; an opening along a length of the elongate member having a width less than a diameter of the insertable device and adapted and configured to engage the insertable device within the lumen of the elongate member. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054971 | DRUG ELUTING STENT SYSTEM AND MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF DRUG ELUTING STENT SYSTEM - This invention provides a drug eluting stent system provided with a stent, which carries thereon a biologically/physiologically active substance, and a deoxidant within a package, and a manufacturing process of the drug eluting stent system. The drug eluting stent system has a substantially extended expiration date and permits a practical application. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054972 | ATRAUMATIC STENT WITH REDUCED DEPLOYMENT FORCE, METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEPLOYING AND POSITIONING THE STENT - An implantable stent includes a plurality of elongate wires braided to form a hollow tubular structure having a tubular wall to define an interior surface and an exterior surface and having opposed open first and second ends, wherein the opposed open first and second ends are atraumatic ends The atraumatic ends of the stent are desirably free of any loose wire ends. The wires include composite wires to enhance visibility of the wires to provide improved external imaging of the wires in the body. The elongate composite wires of the stent may be metallic wires having an outer metallic portion including a first metal, such as nitinol, and an inner metallic core portion including a second metal, which is a radiopaque material, such as gold, barium sulfate, ferritic particles, platinum, platinum-tungsten, palladium, platinum-iridium, rhodium, tantalum or combinations thereof. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054973 | Four-leaflet stented mitral heart valve - A prosthetic mitral heart valve having four separate flexible leaflets. The heart valve includes a support frame that may be non-circular, for example elliptical or “D-shaped”. The support frame may have an undulating outflow edge defined by four inflow cusps and four outflow commissures to which each of the flexible leaflets attaches. The support frame may comprise an undulating wireform and a surrounding stent defining a structure having four cantilevered posts projecting in the outflow direction to support the four leaflets. The heart valve is designed to be secured in the annulus and function as a standalone unit without papillary muscle connections to the leaflets. The four leaflets may be arranged in two opposed pairs, one pair being smaller than the other pair. The larger pair of leaflets may be identical, or differently sized. Existing sizes of heart valve leaflets may be utilized with the smaller leaflets being at least two leaflet sizes smaller than the larger leaflets in odd millimeter increments. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054974 | Percutaneous aortic valve - The present invention provides a valve configured for insertion on the proximal and distal sides of a heart valve annulus to replace the heart valve of a patient. The valve comprises a first substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a proximal side of the annulus of a patient and a second substantially annular portion adapted to be positioned on a distal side of the annulus of a patient, wherein at least one of the first and second substantially annular portions is movable towards the other portion to a clamped position to clamp around the annulus. The second portion has a flow restricting portion extending therefrom and is movable between a first position to permit the flow of blood and a second position to restrict the flow of blood. In one embodiment, the valve has a suture joining the first and second portions to draw the first and second portions into closer proximity and a cinch member to secure the suture to maintain the first and second portions in the clamped position. In another embodiment, the first and second portions are connected by a first segment which biases the first and second portions toward the clamped position. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054975 | DEPLOYMENT DEVICE FOR CARDIAC SURGERY - A deployment device for deploying a material into a patient, said deployment device having a housing and a placement device including a retracted condition within the housing for holding a material, in a collapsed condition, within the housing and an extended condition from the housing for disposing and releasing the material at a predetermined site in an uncollapsed condition. A method of deploying a material by placing the placement device in an extended condition and affixing the material to the extended placement device, retracting the placement device into the housing with the material in a collapsed condition, extending the placement device, and placing the material at a predetermined site in an uncollapsed condition. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054976 | STENT LOADING TOOL AND METHOD FOR USE THEREOF - A loading tool for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve into a delivery catheter, and for pushing the stent-mounted valve from the delivery catheter into a native heart valve orifice. The loading tool comprises at least one connector adapted for being removably connected to the stent of the stent-mounted valve. A crimping tool having a generally converging shape is adapted for use with the loading tool. Following connection of the loading tool to the stent-mounted valve, the loading tool operates to allow the stent-mounted valve to be drawn through the crimping tool, and loaded, in a crimped state, into a delivery catheter. Also disclosed is a kit of the of the various components for effecting the delivery of the stent-mounted valve and a method for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve from a storage container into a delivery catheter for the performance of a transcatheter valve implantation procedure. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054977 | AMORPHOUS METAL ALLOY MEDICAL DEVICES - This invention provides a new class of medical devices and implants comprising amorphous metal alloys. The medical devices and implants may be temporary or permanent and may comprise other materials as well, such as polymers, ceramics, and conventional crystalline or polycrystalline metal alloys. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054978 | INTRAOCULAR LENSES ESSENTIALLY FREE FROM GLISTENINGS -
The present invention relates a method for manufacturing an intraocular lens in a closed mould, wherein an acrylic monomer composition containing a single high refractive index monomer according to formula (I): is polymerized by employing an initiator that is activated by light having a wavelength of 390 nm or more. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054979 | Phonatory Implant - The invention concerns a phonatory implant ( | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054980 | Device for Volitional Swallowing with a Substitute Sensory System - A device for volitional swallowing with a substitute sensory system comprises a band | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054981 | INTERVENTIONAL MEDICAL DEVICE FOR USE IN MRI - A medical device with metal parts to be introduced into animal or human bodies is rendered visible during RMN imaging by covering the exterior surface of the metal parts with a layer comprising Nickel monoxide. When placed within the electromagnetic field generated by a NMR apparatus, the layer reduces disturbances induced in this field in the vicinity of the metal part. This improvement is chiefly related to endoprostheses for subjects or patients who will be submitted to NMR imaging. In particular, the invention is aimed at luminal endoprostheses comprising a metal frame, as stents. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054982 | Elastic metallic replacement ligament - This invention relates generally to orthopedic implants for reconstruction of severed, ruptured, or damaged ligaments. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved elastic replacement ligament made from metallic wires in a braided construction for replacement of a natural ligament of the body such as the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054983 | BIORESORBABLE BONE IMPLANT - The invention relates to an artificial bone implant for preservation, repair, and regeneration of the human musculoskeletal apparatus by means of orthopedic, dental and craniofacial implantation. More in particular, the invention relates to use of osteoinductive compositions comprising stem cells from adipose tissue and osteoconductive calcium phosphates in bioresorbable cages as part of an artificial bone implant for stabilization and renewed alignment of spinal column segments. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054984 | Method For Use Of A Double-Structured Tissue Implant For Treatment Of Tissue Defects - A method for use of a double-structured tissue implant or a secondary scaffold stand alone implant for treatment of tissue defects. The double-structured tissue implant comprising a primary scaffold and a secondary scaffold consisting of a soluble collagen solution in combination with a non-ionic surfactant generated and positioned within the primary scaffold. A method of use of a stand alone secondary scaffold implant or unit for treatment of tissue defects. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054985 | TITANIUM ALLOY WITH OXIDIZED ZIRCONIUM FOR A PROSTHETIC IMPLANT - A prosthetic device having a generally fixed member formed from a low friction material such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene and an articulating titanium member, which includes an articular bearing surface. The articular surface is a zirconium oxide layer formed by applying a coating of zirconium onto the titanium member and heating this in an oxygen-containing environment. This causes the zirconium to oxidize and further causes the zirconium to migrate into the titanium member forming a titanium zirconium diffusion layer, which prevents delamination. | 2009-02-26 |
| 20090054986 | Motion restoring intervertebral device - A motion restoring intervertebral device includes first and second articulating components positioned between adjacent vertebrae with the articulating surface of the first component being formed by a circular domed convex projection having a first radius. The articulating surface of the second component is formed by a generally concave recess having the first radius in the medial-lateral direction and a second larger sweeping radius in the interior-posterior direction so that the components are capable of rotating against each other in all directions and translate against each other in the anterior-posterior direction, whereby translation away from the center of the first radius will produce device and joint distraction to limit excessive translation. | 2009-02-26 |
