12th week of 2013 patent applcation highlights part 54 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20130072943 | EM Guidance Device For A Device Enabled For Endovascular Navigation Placement Including A Remote Operator Capability And EM Endoluminal Imaging Technique - A method and system for placing a device enabled for endovascular navigation, specifically a PICC catheter, and more broadly any device which is manipulated in over the wire or monorail fashion. Variants of the system comprise a guidewire for navigating through a patient's vasculature, having an electromagnetic (EM) based tracking components at or near the a leading end of the guidewire; an EM positioning field generator configured on a reference gantry; a computer and display configured to output position information of the guidewire leading end; and a servomotor delivery system actuator, mechanically coupled to the guidewire and configured for controlling the position of the guidewire. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072944 | AUTOMATED ALIGNMENT - Systems and method are disclosed whereby elongate medical instruments may be registered to adjacent tissue structures and other structures, and may be navigated and operated in a coordinated fashion to maximize ranges of motion, ease of use, and other factors. A method for registering an instrument relative to nearby structures may comprise moving a portion of the instrument between two in situ positions, tracking movement during this movement with both a kinematic model and also a localization sensor based configuration, determining the orientation of the tracked portion relative to both the instrument coordinate system used in the kinematic modeling and also a localization coordinate reference frame, and adjusting the orientation of the instrument coordinate reference frame to minimize the difference between determined orientations using the kinematic model and localization sensors. Methods and configurations for navigating coupled and registered instrument sets are also disclosed. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072945 | CLIP UNIT AND LIGATION DEVICE USING THE SAME - A clip unit for ligating a biological body includes: a clip body having a pair of arm parts; and a fastening ring arranged in an outside of the clip body, and configured to fasten the arm parts, in which: the fastening ring includes a flap part configured to expand diametrically outward from the fastening ring, and a flap retaining unit configured to retaining an expansion extent of the flap part at a given extent. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072946 | LIGATION DEVICE, CLIP UNIT, CLIP MANIPULATION DEVICE, AND ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM - A clip unit used in a ligation device for ligating a biological tissue, includes: arms protruding from a rear end of the clip unit to define a space for accommodating a hook; and engagement claw parts respectively extending from rear ends of the arms toward a front side, in which: when the clip unit and a transmission member are connected, front ends of the engagement claw parts abut against a rear side inclined surface of the hook. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072947 | CLIP UNIT, LIGATION DEVICE USING THE SAME, AND METHOD FOR FABRICATING THE CLIP UNIT - A clip unit includes: a clip body having a pair of arm parts; and a fastening ring arranged in the outside of the clip body and configured to maintain the arm parts in the closed state, in which the clip body includes a connection base section connecting the base end side of the pair of arm parts, and a connection tail section provided on the connection base section to extend opposite to the arm parts and connected to the front end of a transmission member, and the connection base section has a flat part perpendicular to the axial direction of the fastening ring, and the arm parts and the connection tail section are connected on a side of the flat part. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072948 | SUTURE PASSER DEVICE AND SUTURE NEEDLE - A suture passer device includes a shaft, a handle, an end effector, and a suture capturing member. The shaft has a shaft proximal end and a shaft distal end. The handle assembly is coupled to the shaft proximal end. The end effector is coupled to the shaft distal end. The suture capturing member is coaxial with and slideably coupled to the end effector, is coupled to the handle assembly, and is configured to capture a suture within the end effector. A suture needle includes a suture needle body and a suture needle tip, the suture needle body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is thicker than the second portion, and the first portion is configured to mate with a needle spacer that enables actuation of a suture needle passer device. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072949 | SUTURE LOCKING DEVICE AND METHODS - A suture locking device includes a suture locking assembly, a suture cutting member, and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly includes a first actuator operable longitudinally to lock the suture with the suture locking assembly, and a second actuator operable laterally to concurrently cut the suture with the suture cutting member and disconnect the suture locking assembly from the suture locking device. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072950 | Ultrasonic Surgical System Having A Fluid Cooled Blade And Related Cooling Methods Therefor - The present disclosure is directed to a fluid cooled ultrasonic surgical instrument and related systems and methods of use therefor. In some embodiments, the disclosed ultrasonic surgical instrument is adapted for used within an insufflated cavity or pneumoperitoneum of a patient. The instrument includes a housing having an elongate shaft, a waveguide disposed at a distal end of the shaft, a coolant inlet port defined in an outer surface of the housing, and a coolant pump disposed within the housing and configured to move coolant from the coolant inlet port to the waveguide. During use, insufflation gas from within the pneumoperitoneum is drawn into the instrument shaft by the coolant pump, and blown over the waveguide to provide cooling. The delivery of ultrasonic energy and activation of the pump may be controlled by a processor in response to user input and waveguide temperature. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072951 | TISSUE HARVESTING, MINCING, AND TRANSPORT DEVICE - A device comprises a needle, probe, holster, and tissue collection chamber. A motor simultaneously powers a vacuum pump, translates and rotates a cutter, and translates a plunger. The needle includes a piercing tip and an interior shelf that divides the needle into a cutter lumen and lateral lumen. The cutter and shelf include apertures configured to mince a portion of a tissue specimen that has been severed by the cutter and forced through the apertures by compressive force from the plunger as well as vacuum force. The apertures of the shelf and the apertures of the rotating cutter cooperate to shear the tissue being compressed by the plunger. The minced tissue is then transported to the tissue collection chamber under vacuum force with the assistance of a fluid flush. Collected minced tissue may then be further processed as desired for a given medical treatment or procedure. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072952 | MEDICAL HANDHELD DEVICE AND POWER UNIT - The present invention relates to a medical handheld device including at least one power unit, at least one power consumer, at least one actuation element and at least one switching device which is movable from a first switching position into a second switching position when the actuation element is actuated. The invention also relates to a power unit for use in a handheld device according to the invention. The invention also relates to a power unit for use in a medical handheld device, wherein the power unit includes at least one power consumer, at least one power source, and at least one switching device which is arranged to be moved from a first switching position into the second switching position when the actuation element is actuated by the user to provided power from the voltage source to operate the power consumer and/or the handheld device. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072953 | LANCETS WITH IMPROVED COUPLING FEATURES AND STERILITY CAPS - Improved lancet configurations and protective lancet endcap configurations are disclosed. In example forms, one or more flexing cantilevers project from the lancet body for coupling with a cooperating receiver of a lancing device. A gripping handle extends from a sterility cap for ease of removal from and replacement over the lancet tip. A lancet body has a smoothly curved wave contour with at least one crest and at least one trough for engagement with a cooperating receiver of a lancing device. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072954 | Umbilical Locator - An umbilical locator that simplifies the localization of the skin flap after it is re-draped over the umbilicus during abdominoplasty surgery. The umbilical locator rests easily and with great stability over the umbilicus while the surgery is performed. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072955 | SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE - A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. A removable trocar for attachment to the anvil assembly is also disclosed which includes a rib positioned proximally of a mounting projection. The rib is positioned to align the mounting projection with associated engagement structure of the anvil assembly. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072956 | LARGE FRENCH SIZE HEMOSTATIC VALVE CONFIGURATION - A hemostasis valve for a vascular introducer includes a valve body having a seal region with opposed substantially planar proximal and distal end surfaces and a central axis extending through the seal region perpendicular to the proximal and distal end surfaces. The seal region has a first grouping of circumferentially arranged and equidistantly spaced linear cuts extending radially outward from the central axis, and through the seal region from the proximal end surface to the distal end surface. The seal region has a second grouping of circumferentially arranged and equidistantly spaced linear cuts in the distal end surface extending tangentially outward from the first grouping of linear cuts, and partially from the distal end surface to a depth short of the proximal end surface to facilitate passage of a variety of sizes of medical devices through the seal region. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072957 | SUBINTIMAL RE-ENTRY CATHETER AND RETROGRADE RECANALIZATION - A catheter for recanalizing a blood vessel having an occlusion therein via a subintimal pathway. The catheter includes a catheter shaft having an inflatable balloon mounted to the distal end portion of the catheter shaft. A flexible tubular member extends from the catheter shaft and along an exterior of the inflatable balloon. Inflation of the inflatable balloon deflects the flexible tubular member into a deflected configuration away from a longitudinal axis of the catheter shaft to effect re-entry into the true lumen distal of the occlusion. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072958 | SINUS BALLOON DILATION CATHETERS AND SINUS SURGURY TOOLS - Inventive embodiments disclosed herein include a catheter for dilating a sinus cavity lumen. The catheter includes a guide tube, having a proximal end and a distal end, that terminates in a distal tip; a sleeve member annularly positioned over the guide tube, wherein the sleeve member is movable relative to the guide tube and is capable of being advanced over the guide tube; and a balloon coupled to the sleeve member, wherein the balloon can be extendable and inflated at or beyond the end of the guide tube. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072959 | Non-Fragmenting Low Friction Bioactive Absorbable Coils for Brain Aneurysm Therapy - Non-fragmenting low friction bioactive absorbable coils are disclosed that improve long-term anatomic results in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. The coils are composed of at least one biocompatible and bioabsorbable polymer. The coils are then coated with a polymer to reduce the friction. The coating can contain drugs, such as growth factors, and can be used to accelerate histopathologic transformation in aneurysms. The coil can be a polymer such as polyglycolic acid (PGA), poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA), polycaprolactive, poly-L-lactide, polydioxanone, polycarbonates, polyanhydrides, polyglycolic acid/poly-L-lactic acid copolymers, polyhydroxybutyrate/hydroxyvalerate copolymers, or combinations thereof. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072960 | Electrostatic Vascular Filters - An intravascular filter is constructed to electrostatically capture and retain particles of a targeted type (for example fat or methacrylate emboli), even if those particles are physically small enough to slip through the filter in the absence of electrostatic attraction. Specific types of targeted particles are thereby captured and retained with improved efficiency, while permitting free flow of non-targeted particles. This improvement permits intravascular filters to be constructed with low-resistance, widely spaced filter elements. Accordingly, more targeted particles are captured, less thrombosis occurs, less pressure drop occurs across the filter, and perfusion or blood collection in downstream areas is maintained. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072961 | Embolic Coil Delivery System - An embolic coil delivery system includes a flexible elongate body having a distal segment. An embolic coil is loaded on the flexible elongate body at the distal segment and contacts an outer surface of the flexible elongate body. The embolic coil delivery system also includes a delivery catheter sized to advance over the flexible elongate body during an embolic coil delivery procedure, wherein a distal segment of the delivery catheter contacts the embolic coil during the embolic coil delivery procedure. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072962 | REMOVABLE INTRAVASCULAR DEVICES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - An intravascular device, which may be a filter, that may include a plurality of elongate members, each or several of the elongate members may have one or more inwardly facing edges disposed at and near the part of the intravascular device configured to contact the vessel wall for cutting through the intima or other encapsulating tissue, each of the elongate member may also include an anchoring member or other desired components. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072963 | MEDICAL COMPRESSION DEVICE - A device is provided that aids in the medical compression process. One example of such a device is a medical compression device that can be added to medical machinery, such as the Hologic® Multicare Prone Biopsy table or a Hologic® upright biopsy table/system. The device can be configured to be placed into and partially through an “operating window” of a compression paddle component used in the biopsy table. The device advantageously does not require modification of the biopsy table or modification of the compression paddle/guide for use. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072964 | Surgical Forceps for Phlebectomy - The invention relates to surgical forceps used for the extraction of varicose veins and having:—a body with an articulation plate ( | 2013-03-21 |
20130072965 | Delivery Systems and Methods for PFO Closure Device with Two Anchors - A device closes septal openings, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The device includes two anchors and a flexible connector. Tension applied to one or more strings attached to the device causes the device to collapse into a reduced profile form for withdrawal into a delivery catheter, thereby facilitating retrieval of the device after insertion into a septal opening. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072966 | Needle Apparatus for Closing Septal Defects and Methods for Using Such Apparatus - Apparatus and methods for closing a septal defect including a flap of tissue partially detached from a septum of a heart. A needle is advanced through a patient's vasculature within a delivery apparatus until the needle is disposed within a first chamber adjacent the septum. The needle is directed through the flap of tissue until the needle is disposed within a second chamber opposite the septum. A filament attached to an intermediate region of the needle is pulled, thereby causing the needle to pivot about the intermediate region such that the ends of the needle straddle the septal opening. A locking element is secured to the filament to secure the flap of tissue against the septum, and the filament is cut. Alternatively, the filament is biased to coil to engage the flap of tissue and secure the needle against the septum to close the opening. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072967 | CLUTCH RELEASE MECHANISM FOR VASCULAR CLOSURE DEVICE - A method and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in a tissue. The apparatus including an anchor, a sealing plug, a filament secured to the sealing plug and the anchor, a compaction member assembly, a spool, a driving plate, and a follower. The compaction member assembly is disposed adjacent the sealing plug and structured and arranged to apply an axially directed compressive force to automatically compact the sealing plug toward the anchor. The spool has a portion of the filament wound thereon. The driving plate is connected to the spool and arranged to contact and apply a force to a proximal end of the compaction member assembly upon rotation of the driving plate to advance the compaction member assembly. The follower is operable between the spool and driving plate to releasably connect the spool and driving plate to provide a clutch action. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072968 | Reinforced Suture Strip and Methods of Use - A reinforced suture strip that incorporates resilient bands oriented parallel to one another along a longitudinal axis of the suture strip. Each band includes a semirigid strip of resilient material, said strip generally extending substantially the length of the suture strip, substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the suture strip. The reinforced suture strip inhibits or minimizes both abductive and transverse movement by the opposing sides of flesh about an incisive wound. The present invention also comprises in some of its embodiments methods and processes for treating wounds using reinforced suture strips as described herein. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072969 | SKIN WOUND CLOSURE APPARATUS - The invention discloses a skin wound closure device capable of promoting skin wound healing and characterized by being capable of randomly adjusting stitching force for a wound. The skin wound closure device includes a support structure respectively arranged at both sides of a skin wound, at least one locking device is arranged above the support structure, the locking device includes a locking bar and a locking buckle arranged on the support structure, the locking bar is movably connected within the locking buckle, and a locking member is arranged on the locking buckle and can lock or loosely fit the locking bar in the locking buckle. Arrangement of the locking member allows doctors to loosely fit the locking bar in the locking buckle by controlling the locking member, randomly move the support structure and the locking device towards the direction close to the skin wound or the direction away from the skin wound, and lock the locking bar in the locking buckle by the locking member after proper movement, thus achieving the purpose of randomly adjusting the stitching force for the skin wound. The skin wound closure device is suitable for widespread application to healing treatment of skin wounds. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072970 | Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide to Remove Residual EtO from Sutures - Treating absorbable sutures that have been sterilized using ethylene oxide with carbon dioxide at or near its supercritical pressure and temperature conditions to remove any residual ethylene oxide. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072971 | MEDICAL SUTURE HAVING MICRO COGS ON SURFACE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Provided are a medical suture having micro cogs on a surface thereof and a method of manufacturing the medical suture. The method of manufacturing a medical suture includes steps of: producing a suture preform where micro cogs are formed on a surface thereof by heating and pressing a raw material of a suture for surgery in an overflow mould in a heat-press solid-phase forming method; and producing a suture with twist maintained by applying a tensile force and a rotational force to the suture preform in a vacuum state where a specific temperature condition is maintained. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072972 | Knotted Suture End Effector - A suture including a knotted end effector is provided. The suture includes a body portion defining a longitudinal axis and an end effector integrally formed from the body portion. The end effector includes first and second extensions extending outwardly from the longitudinal axis in opposite directions. Each of the first and second extensions includes at least one throw. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072973 | Knotted Suture End Effector - A suture including a knotted end effector is provided. The suture includes a body portion defining a longitudinal axis and an end effector formed from the body portion. The end effector includes first and second extensions which extend outwardly from the longitudinal axis in opposite directions when the end effector is in a permanent configuration. The extensions of the end effector extend substantially along the longitudinal axis when the end effector is in a temporary position. In embodiments, at least a portion of the end effector includes a shape memory material. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072974 | COATINGS FOR MODIFYING MONOFILAMENT AND MULTI-FILAMENTS SELF-RETAINING SUTURES - The present invention provides that coatings applied to natural, synthetic and recombinant expressed polymer filaments can be used to modify the properties of monofilament and multifilament self-retaining sutures. In an embodiment of the invention, the coating enables the suture to be easily inserted into tissue, whereupon the extended interaction of the coating and the tissue increase the ability of the tissue retainers to hold the suture in the tissue. In an embodiment of the present invention, the coated polymers have a melting point in the range from between approximately 40° C. to approximately 180° C. while retaining tensile strength. In an embodiment of the invention, the increased strength is due in part to the tissue specific reaction generated by the suture coating. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072975 | KNOTLESS SUTURE ANCHOR FOR SOFT TISSUE REPAIR AND METHOD OF USE - In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for holding soft tissue in apposition with a bone using a suture, the method including engaging the soft tissue with an engaging portion of a suture thread; engaging an end of the suture thread with a rotatable shaft of an anchor; implanting the rotatable shaft in the bone; and rotating the shaft in a first direction to wrap the engaged suture thread onto the shaft thereby increasing tension on the suture and on the soft tissue. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072976 | KNOTLESS SUTURE ANCHOR FOR SOFT TISSUE REPAIR AND METHOD OF USE - In one embodiment, the present invention includes a knotless suture anchor for implanting in bone including an outer tubular member having a distal end, a proximal end, an outer wall, and an at least one aperture through the outer wall; an inner member being rotatably disposed within the outer tubular member, the inner member having an at least one aperture for receiving at least one suture thread; a pointed tip configured to facilitate impaction of the anchor into the bone; and at least one suture thread guide positioned on the outer tubular member, wherein the at least one suture thread is positioned through the at least one suture thread guide, the at least one aperture of the outer tubular member, and the at least one aperture of the inner member. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072977 | TEETHER - A teething device comprising a shield connected to a gum soothing portion formed from a frame is disclosed. The frame is configured to locate underneath a lip and against a gum of an infant when in use. Furthermore, the frame is shaped so as to conform to an infant's gumso as to produce a massaging effect on said gum. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072978 | VERTEBRAL BODY REPLACEMENT AND CERVICAL PLATE CONSTRUCTION - A vertebral body replacement (VBR) and cervical plate apparatus for securing the VBR in a desired position in a space between superior and inferior vertebral bodies. The VBR has a predrilled opening in a center portion of its anterior face that is constructed to receive therein a first attachment device. The cervical plate has holes in the upper and lower portions thereof that are constructed to receive second attachment devices for securing the cervical plate to the superior and inferior vertebral bodies in a desired position. The cervical plate has an elongated slot in a central portion thereof that is constructed to receive therethrough in movable relation the first attachment device which is receivable in the predrilled opening in the VBR for securing the cervical plate thereto. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072979 | SPINAL IMPLANT FOR LUMBAR VERTEBRA TO SACRUM FIXATION - A spinal implant includes a first arm comprising a first upper portion and a first lower portion extending from a first middle portion, the first upper portion, first lower portion, and first middle portion defining a first inward facing surface; a projection extending from the first middle portion; a second arm comprising a second upper portion and a second lower portion extending from a second middle portion, the second middle portion defining a bore configured to receive the projection to enable adjustment of the second arm relative to the first arm, the second upper portion, the second lower portion, and the second middle portion defining a second inward facing surface; a plurality of first spikes extending in a generally perpendicular fashion from the first and second inward facing surfaces; and at least one second spike extending in a non-perpendicular fashion from the first and second inward facing surfaces. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072980 | FLEXIBLE STABILIZATION DEVICE INCLUDING A ROD AND TOOL FOR MANUFACTURING THE ROD - A flexible stabilization device for connecting at least two bone anchoring devices which are attached to vertebrae of the spinal column includes a flexible rod made of an elastomer material. The rod has a surface in which at least one recess is provided which is generated by separation of a portion of said elastomer material. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072981 | Connecting member with tensioned cord, low profile rigid sleeve and spacer with torsion control - A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body and a receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity. The longitudinal connecting member assembly includes a tensioned cord and has hard, non-elastic sleeves for attachment to the bone anchors, at least one spacer located between the bone anchors, and in some embodiments, an end elastic bumper and cord blocker. A down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring having inner and outer tangs and an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072982 | SPINAL ASSEMBLY LOAD GAUGE - A load gauge to measure the forces that must be applied to properly position a spinal fixation assembly to one or more vertebrae. In a preferred embodiment, said load gauge is attached to a bone screw. The bone screw is in turn connected to a rod through a connector. After the bone screw is inserted into a vertebrae, the load gauge measures the force that must be applied to properly position the spinal fixation assembly vis-a-vis the vertebrae. The present invention allows surgeons to have more flexibility on how and how much the deformed spine is corrected. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072983 | TETHER CLAMP AND IMPLANTATION SYSTEM - A clamp housing assembly and method for providing stabilization as a bone anchor during an operation. The assembly includes a housing, a locking element and a band. The housing defines a longitudinal axis, a center recess, and at least one slot. The housing has two opposing arms extending from a base. At least a portion of the inside surface of each arm may be threaded and at least a portion of the outside surface of each arm may be planar. The locking element is positionable within the recess in a co-axial relationship to the housing. The band is sized for travel along a predetermined path defined in part by the at least one slot in the housing. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072984 | FENESTRATED BONE SCREWS AND METHODS OF BONE FASTENING AND STABILIZATION - Systems, methods, and apparatuses for bone fixation are presented. In one aspect, presented herein is a screw for bone fixation, an insertion tool, and a method for stabilization across a bone joint of the spine. The bone screw has an elongate shank defining an internal longitudinal passage. The screw has an external threaded surface and a tapered distal end. The insertion tool engages the head of the screw and is used to drive the screw into the desired bone joint. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072985 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POSTERIOR DYNAMIC STABILIZATION OF THE SPINE - Devices, systems and methods for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The devices include an expandable spacer or member having an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration, wherein the expandable member in an expanded configuration has a size, volume and/or shape configured for positioning between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae in order to distract the vertebrae relative to each other. The systems include one or more expandable members and an expansion medium for injection within or for filling the interior of the expandable member via the port. The methods involve the implantation of one or more devices or expandable spacers. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072986 | FENESTRATED BONE SCREWS AND METHODS OF BONE FASTENING AND STABILIZATION - Systems, methods, and apparatuses for bone fixation are presented. In one aspect, presented herein is a screw for bone fixation, an insertion tool, and a method for stabilization across a bone joint of the spine. The bone screw has an elongate shank defining an internal longitudinal passage. The screw has an external threaded surface and a tapered distal end. The insertion tool engages the head of the screw and is used to drive the screw into the desired bone joint. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072987 | INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS FOR STABILIZATION OF BONY STRUCTURES - The present invention relates to a brace installation instrument placement that is mounted to anchors secured in an animal subject. The installation instrument includes anchor extensions coupled to the anchors. The instrument is movable with respect to the anchors to position a brace in a position more proximate the anchors. The brace can be indexed for insertion at a predetermined orientation with respect to the installation instrument. Methods and techniques for using the installation instrument are also provided. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072988 | Aiming on Plate - A bone fixation device includes an aiming guide extending from a first end to a second end, the aiming guide having a plurality of aiming holes, each aiming hole extending through the aiming guide from a proximal face to a distal face along a corresponding aiming hole axis and a bone implant having a proximal face facing the aiming guide and a distal face which faces a target portion of bone, the implant including a plurality of implant holes each extending through the implant from the proximal face to the distal face, an implant hole axis of each of the implant holes being aligned with the aiming hole axis of a corresponding one of the aiming holes. A first connecting bar is integrally formed with the aiming guide and bone implant to space the distal face of the aiming guide from the proximal face of the implant. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072989 | Strand for Minimally Invasive Removal of T-Anchor - An anchoring device includes (a) a flexible member extending from a proximal end to a distal end and (b) an elongated anchor member extending from a first end to a second end and attached to the distal end of the flexible member such that the anchor member is movable between an insertion configuration in which the anchor member is substantially parallel to the flexible member and a locked configuration in which the anchor member is substantially perpendicular to the flexible member in combination with (c) a flexible removal element extending from a proximal end to a distal end attached to the first end of the anchor member. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072990 | REVERSE THREAD BONE SCREW - A left-handed bone screw for use in orthopedic spinal surgical procedures. The left-handed bone screw reverses the pitch angle of a conventional right-handed bone screw. In reversing the thread, the present invention permits the left-handed screw to reuse a previously tapped cortical and cancellous bone hole. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072991 | SNAP FIT ROD AND FASTENER SYSTEM - Implementations of the present disclosure provide a snap fit rod and fastener system including one or more fasteners for securing one or more rods to secure a spine or other anatomical structure. The fasteners include a fixation shaft, a clamp and a connector. The fixation shaft (for example a pedicle screw) is configured to frictionally engage a bone (vertebra) or other workpiece. The clamp has a pressure responsive portion that defines an opening configured to receive a rod. The connector is configured to connect the clamp to the fixation shaft and exert pressure on the clamp to modify the opening and secure the rod. A bias mechanism, such as a washer spring may be included to urge against the pressure responsive portion and which can be overcome by pressure on the rod for the “snap fit” effect. For additional adjustability, the clamp may be pivotally mounted on the fixation shaft. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072992 | Polyaxial bone anchor with pop-on shank and friction fit retainer with low profile edge lock - A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an integral upper portion receivable in an integral receiver, the receiver having an upper channel for receiving a longitudinal connecting member and a lower cavity cooperating with a lower opening. A down-loadable compression insert, a down-loadable friction fit split retaining ring having inner and outer tangs and an up-loadable shank upper portion cooperate to provide for pop- or snap-on assembly of the shank with the receiver either prior to or after implantation of the shank into a vertebra. The shank and receiver once assembled cannot be disassembled. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072993 | BONE ANCHORING ELEMENT - A bone anchoring element includes a shaft for anchoring in a bone, the shaft having a tubular body. The shaft comprises a plurality of barb elements, wherein each barb element is formed as continuous one-piece part with the tubular body. Each each barb element is moveable between a first position adjacent to the tubular body and a second position further from the tubular body than the first position. The barb elements are arranged along at least one helical line around an axis of the shaft. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072994 | COLLAPSIBLE BONE SCREW APPARATUS - A collapsible bone screw for healing bone fragments across a bone fracture includes an externally threaded inner screw member and an externally threaded outer screw member. The inner screw member is initially screwed into an inner bone portion. An unthreaded portion of the outer screw member is movably joined to the inner screw member. The outer screw member is screwed until it gains purchase in an outer bone portion. As impaction occurs over time, the collapsible bone screw apparatus may shorten in length as the two screw members slide, telescope or otherwise axially move toward each other to shorten the overall length, thereby preventing any portion of the screw apparatus from protruding out of the bone. A bone screw kit of multiple inner and outer screw members are provided as well as a method of surgically fastening bone fragments. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072995 | CATHETER SYSTEM FOR ACUTE NEUROMODULATION - A neuromodulation system includes a first therapy element adapted for positioning within a superior vena cava, and a second therapy element adapted for positioning within a pulmonary artery. Each therapy element is carried on a corresponding elongate flexible shaft. One of the shafts is slidably received within a lumen of the other so that the second therapy element may be advanced within the body relative to the first. A stimulator energizes the first therapy element within the first blood vessel to deliver therapy to a first nerve fiber disposed external to the superior vena cava and to energize the second therapy element within the pulmonary artery to deliver sympathetic therapy to a second nerve fiber disposed external to the pulmonary artery. For treatment of heart failure, the first nerve fiber may be a vagus nerve and the second nerve fiber may be a sympathetic nerve fiber. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072996 | Methods, Systems, and Devices for Treating Tinnitus with VNS Pairing - A method of treating tinnitus comprising measuring a patient's hearing, determining the patient's hearing loss and the patient's tinnitus frequency using the measurements of the patient's hearing, programming a clinical controller with the measurements of the patient's hearing, selecting a plurality of therapeutic tones, where the therapeutic tones are selected to be at least a half-octave above or below of the patient's tinnitus frequency, setting an appropriate volume for each of the plurality of tones, repetitively playing each of the plurality of therapeutic tones, and pairing a vagus nerve stimulation pulse train with each playing of a therapeutic tone, thereby reducing the patient's perception of tinnitus. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072997 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NEUROMODULATION - A method of treating autonomic imbalance in a patient includes energizing a first therapeutic element disposed in a superior vena cava of the patient to deliver therapy to a parasympathetic nerve fiber (e.g. vagus nerve), and energizing a second therapeutic element disposed within the superior vena cava to deliver therapy to a sympathetic cardiac nerve fiber. A neuromodulation system includes a parasympathetic therapy element adapted for positioning within a blood vessel, a sympathetic therapy element adapted for positioning within the blood vessel; and a stimulator to energize the parasympathetic therapy element to deliver parasympathetic therapy to a parasympathetic nerve fiber disposed external to the blood vessel and energize the sympathetic therapy element within the blood vessel to deliver sympathetic therapy to a sympathetic nerve fiber disposed external to the blood vessel. The therapy decreases the patient's heart rate and elevates or maintains the blood pressure of the patient. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072998 | STIMULATION THERAPY FOR BLADDER DYSFUNCTION - A medical system may include a control module and a therapy delivery module configured to generate and deliver electrical stimulation therapy to a patient. The control module may be configured to control the therapy delivery module to deliver electrical stimulation at a first stimulation intensity for a first time period, to deliver electrical stimulation at a second stimulation intensity for a second time period immediately following the first time period, and to deliver electrical stimulation at the first stimulation intensity for a third time period immediately following the second time period. The second stimulation intensity may be less than the first stimulation intensity. The electrical stimulation may elicit a first inhibitory physiological response during the first time period and a second inhibitory physiological response during the second time period. The second inhibitory physiological response may be greater than the first inhibitory physiological response. | 2013-03-21 |
20130072999 | Systems and Methods for Determining a Sleep Disorder Based on Positioning of the Tongue - Devices and methods are disclosed that include an external unit comprising at least one processor. The processor may be configured to receive a signal indicative of tongue movement in a subject from an implant unit implanted in the subject, determine whether the tongue movement is representative of sleep disordered breathing, generate a modulation control signal to correct the sleep disordered breathing when the at least one processor determines an occurrence of sleep disordered breathing. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073000 | IMPLANTABLE AND RECHARGEABLE NEURAL STIMULATOR - One aspect of the present subject matter relates to an implantable medical device. An embodiment of the device comprises a rechargeable power supply adapted to be recharged through an ultrasound signal, a neural stimulator connected to the rechargeable power supply, and a controller connected to the rechargeable power supply. The neural stimulator is adapted to generate a neural stimulation signal for delivery to a neural stimulation target through an electrode. The controller is further connected to the neural stimulator to control the neural stimulator according to a neural stimulation protocol. Other aspects are provided herein. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073001 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REJUVENATING SKIN - A skin rejuvenation device and method for the cosmetic or anti-aging reduction of wrinkles and other skin conditions is disclosed. The skin rejuvenation device comprises an array of positive and negative electrodes for the delivery of electrical microcurrents in the attoampere to milliampere range, light sources to deliver photonic stimulation and/or transducers to deliver ultrasonic stimulation to the skin and underlying tissues. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073002 | MEDICAL IMPLANT WITH CURRENT LEAKAGE CIRCUITRY - Medical device implants for stimulating the nervous system of a recipient are disclosed. Embodiments include a cochlear implant with electrodes for delivering charge to the cochlea of the recipient and stimulation circuitry for delivering the charge to the electrodes. The medical devices include a transfer line which carries power and/or communication signals, the transfer line being in contact with tissue of the recipient when the medical device implant is implanted. A leakage capture conductor and/or sensing electrode is located or locatable proximate the insulated conductor. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073003 | Devices, Methods, and Systems for Harvesting Energy in the Body - In some embodiments, the power generator for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy may include a compressible element adapted and configured to be placed in an environment having a variable compressive force such as varying ambient pressures. The compressible element may be compressed by a force applied by the variable pressure to the compressible element. The power generator may further include a transducer that may be coupled to the compressible element and that may convert mechanical energy from the compression of the compressible element to electrical energy. In some embodiments, the power generator may be adapted to be an implantable power generator for converting mechanical energy from a patient to electrical energy, such that the compressible element adapted and configured to be placed between two adjacent tissue layers of the patient and to be compressed by a force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073004 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A SMALL POWER SOURCE FOR AN IMPLANTABLE DEVICE - One example includes a battery that includes a stack of at least one substantially planar anode and at least one substantially planar cathode, wherein the stack defines a contoured exterior, and a battery housing enclosing the stack, the battery housing defining a battery housing exterior, wherein the contoured exterior of the stack is shaped to conform to a contoured interior of the battery housing that approximately conforms to the battery housing exterior, the battery produced by the process of modeling, using fluid dynamics, an exterior of a biocompatible housing and shaping the battery housing to conform to at least some of the exterior of the biocompatible housing. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073005 | External Device for Communicating with an Implantable Medical Device Having Data Telemetry and Charging Integrated in a Single Housing - An improved embodiment of an external device for an implantable medical device system is described herein, where the external device has both circuitry for charging the implantable medical device and circuitry for telemetering data to and from the medical implant contained within a single housing. The external device in one embodiment includes orthogonal radiators in which both the radiators are used for data transfer, and in which at least one of the radiators is used for power transfer. Having charging and data telemetry circuitry fully integrated within a single external device conveniences both patient and clinician. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073006 | NERVE STIMULATION APPARATUS - Provided is a nerve stimulation apparatus that is capable of performing effective nerve stimulation depending on a therapeutic purpose without adversely affecting a heart. Further provided is a nerve stimulation apparatus including: a stimulation-pulse output unit that outputs a stimulation pulse; a cardiac-event detector that detects a cardiac event; and a controller that controls the stimulation-signal output unit so as to output, during a cardiac refractory period, the nerve stimulation signal having an intensity that corresponds to the heart rate obtained on the basis of the cardiac event detected by the cardiac-event detector. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073007 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADJUSTING ELECTRICAL THERAPY BASED ON IMPEDANCE CHANGES - System and methods for adjusting electrical therapy based on impedance changes are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes applying a therapeutic electrical signal to a patient via an implanted portion of a patient stimulation system that includes a signal delivery device in electrical communication with a target neural population of the patient. The electrical signal is delivered in accordance with a signal delivery parameter having a first value. Using the implanted portion of the patient stimulation system, a change in an impedance of an electrical circuit that includes the signal delivery device is detected. Based at least in part on the detected impedance change, the method can further include automatically adjusting the value of the signal delivery parameter from the first value to a second value different from the first, without human intervention. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073008 | POWER SUPPLY MANAGEMENT FOR IMPLANTABLE NEUROSTIMULATION DEVICES - An apparatus comprises a therapy circuit that provides a neural stimulation current, an impedance measurement circuit that measures a value of impedance at the output of the therapy circuit, a supply voltage generating circuit that provides an adjustable supply voltage value to the therapy circuit including a first supply voltage value when in a first mode, and a control circuit communicatively coupled to the therapy circuit, the impedance measuring circuit, and the supply voltage generating circuit. The control circuit, upon receiving an indication to exit the first mode, initiates an impedance measurement by the impedance measurement circuit, determines the second supply voltage value using the impedance measurement, and initiates a change from the first supply voltage value to the second supply voltage value. The second supply voltage value is sufficient to operate the therapy circuit and to provide a specified load current value to the measured impedance. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073009 | METHOD OF TREATING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS - A method and computer program product for suppressing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) by irradiating a subject exhibiting the symptoms with a predetermined dose of UV-containing light from a light source and detecting a suppression of the clinical symptoms of MS. In particular, the detected suppression of the clinical symptoms is disassociated from the vitamin D production within the subject. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073010 | STRETCH MARK REMOVAL DEVICE - A stretch mark removal device having a first portion that includes a plurality of light emitting devices each positioned on a surface of the first portion, a heating unit extending along the surface of the first portion between the light emitting elements and a handle coupled to the first portion. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073011 | METHOD FOR TREATING A PATIENT HAVING A SPINAL CORD INJURY USING PHOTOTHERAPY - A method of treating spinal cord injury (SCI) includes transcutaneously irradiating at least a portion of a spinal environment of the patient with light having a power density of at least about 0.01 mW/cm | 2013-03-21 |
20130073012 | Device and Method for Temperature Management of Heating Pad Systems - According to some embodiments, an apparatus for warming a patient on a thermal pad includes a heating element to heat a surface of the thermal pad. A power unit is operable to provide power to the heating element. Respective ones of a plurality of sensors are coupled to detect temperature at select portions of the surface of the thermal pad, while a heating element sensor is coupled to detect a temperature of the heating element. A temperature control circuit board is embedded within the thermal pad and is electrically coupled to the plurality of sensors and the heating element sensor. The temperature control circuit board is operable to limit a temperature at the surface of the thermal pad to a safe temperature based on the temperature detected by the plurality of sensors and the heating element sensor. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073013 | AUTOMATIC CONTROL OF TEMPERATURE IN A PATIENT CIRCUIT - A method of automatically controlling the temperature of a patient circuit ( | 2013-03-21 |
20130073014 | PATIENT TEMPERATURE CONTROL CATHETER WITH OUTER SLEEVE COOLED BY INNER SLEEVE - A catheter has an inner sleeve through which refrigerant circulates to and from a source of refrigerant. The catheter also has an outer sleeve surrounding the inner sleeve, including a distal end thereof. The outer sleeve is filled with a frozen biocompatible substance. The refrigerant is separated from the biocompatible substance by one or more walls of the inner sleeve such that the refrigerant is isolated from a patient in whom the catheter is positioned by both the inner sleeve and the frozen biocompatible substance. The refrigerant circulates through the catheter when the catheter is positioned in the patient to maintain the biocompatible substance frozen as heat is transferred from the patient to the biocompatible substance. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073015 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR NON-INVASIVE CEREBRAL AND SYSTEMIC COOLING ALTERNATING LIQUID MIST/GAS FOR INDUCTION AND GAS FOR MAINTENANCE - Methods for cerebral and systemic cooling via a patient's nasopharyngeal cavity are described. In one method, a cooling assembly is inserted into a nasal cavity through a patient's nostril. A substantially dry gas is delivered through a lumen of the catheter onto the surface of the patient's nasal cavity. Evaporative heat loss cools the patient's nasal cavity. If additional cooling is needed, a liquid coolant is delivered through a separated lumen of the catheter. The liquid coolant is nebulized at a plurality of delivery ports on the distal end of the catheter and is delivered onto the surface of the patient's nasal cavity in combination with the dry gas. The dry gas enhances evaporation of the nebulized coolant and additional cooling is provided from the evaporative heat loss of the liquid coolant. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073016 | HEATING DEVICE - An object of the invention is to provide a heating device that is securely held in its worn position, and that can exhibit a sufficient heating effect. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073017 | Thermal vacuum therapy and apparatus thereof - An apparatus, for a thermal vacuum therapy by using a suction cup on a skin of a patient, includes a heating unit disposed in the suction cup. The heating unit includes a heat core made of high heat conductive material and a heat retention sleeve made of low heat conductive material, wherein the heat core is wrapped by the heat retention sleeve and is arranged in such a manner that after the heat core rapidly stores heat energy, the heat retention sleeve is adapted for keeping the heat energy at the heat core so as to enable the heat core being gradually released heat within the suction cup during cupping treatment. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073018 | Thermal exchange composition-containing packs with color signaling covers - The present invention relates to thermal exchange products having color change properties. More particularly, the invention relates to thermal-exchange compositions in pack form suitable for heating in a microwave oven and/or cooling in a freezer and having covers that provide a notification by color change signal that the pack is at a temperature or in a temperature range suitable to provide a desired level of hot and/or cold treatment. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073019 | Bacterial Cellulose-Based Ice Bags and the Production Method Thereof - This invention relates to bacterial cellulose-based ice bags and their production methods thereof. Bacterial cellulose membranes used in the present invention are produced through the fermentation of cellulose-producing microorganisms. Ice bags with three sealed sides and one open side are made from water-impermeable (under room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure) bacterial cellulose membranes. The bags are filled with filler materials and then sterilized at 120 degrees C. for 30 minutes and sealed aseptically. The use of bacterial cellulose as the packaging material solves the problems associated with conventional ice bags. The advantages of the present invention include: no condensation at the bag surface, smaller temperature changes during the course of application, and longer lasting ice therapy session. In addition, bacterial cellulose membrane is safe and non-toxic, and has excellent biocompatibility, plasticity and higher mechanical strength, making it an ideal packaging material for ice bags. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073020 | HEADER EMBEDDED FILTER FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A filter circuit embedded into a header of an implantable medical device attenuates energy that may otherwise enter the implantable medical device. At MRI frequencies, the impedance of the filter circuit is much higher than the impedance of the feedthrough capacitor of the implantable medical device. Thus, MRI-induced current that would otherwise enter the implantable medical device is limited by the filter circuit. Consequently, localized device heating that may otherwise occur during MRI scanning is significantly reduced by operation of the filter circuit. In some implementations, the header embedded filter circuit is electrically isolated from the header housing. In this way, localized heating of the header housing also may be avoided. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073021 | BAND STOP FILTER EMPLOYING A CAPACITOR AND AN INDUCTOR TANK CIRCUIT TO ENHANCE MRI COMPATIBILITY OF ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICES - An implantable lead includes a lead conductor having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end. A self-resonant inductor is connected in series along a portion of the length of the lead conductor. The self-resonant inductor includes a single length of conductive material including a dielectric coating substantially surrounding the single length of conductive material. The self-resonant inductor includes a first coiled or spiral conductor disposed along an inductor section spanning in a first direction from a first location to a second location. A second coiled or spiral conductor is disposed along the inductor section spanning in a second direction from the second location to the first location, where the second direction is opposite the first direction. A third coiled or spiral conductor is disposed along the inductor section spanning in the first direction from the first location to the second location. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073022 | Pacing Lead In An Extended Area Of A Heart Cavity, Implantable By Over The Wire Technique In The Deep Coronary Network - A pacing lead ( | 2013-03-21 |
20130073023 | Stent - A stent insertable in a body vessel, the body vessel defining a vessel wall. The stent includes a plurality of struts, the struts defining a substantially elongated stent passageway, the struts being configured, sized and operatively coupled to each other in a manner such that the stent is deformable between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the stent passageway has a first radial dimension and a first longitudinal dimension, and in the second configuration, the stent has a second radial dimension and a second longitudinal dimension, the second radial dimension being at least as large as the first radial dimension and the second longitudinal dimension being larger than the first longitudinal dimension. The stent is able to expand substantially longitudinally with the body vessel as the body vessel grows without reducing in diameter so as to reduce risks of damaging the vessel wall as the body vessel grows. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073024 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING A VASCULAR DEVICE - A device and method for delivering a vascular device to a target site is provided that maintains a proximal portion of the vascular device within a tubular sleeve by positioning a stop of an inner member at a distal opening of the tubular sleeve to block the opening. Once the stop has been moved distally via movement of the inner member to clear the opening, a band of increased thickness on the inner member can urge the proximal portion of the vascular device out of the tubular sleeve to deploy the vascular device. The vascular device may be recaptured within a delivery sheath prior to the full deployment of the proximal portion of the vascular device from the tubular sleeve by re-positioning the stop at the distal opening to hold the vascular device within the tubular sleeve as the delivery device is retracted with respect to the delivery sheath. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073025 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR ASSISTING VALVE FUNCTION, REPLACING VENOUS VALVES, AND PREDICTING VALVE TREATMENT SUCCESS - Devices and methods for assisting valve function, replacing venous valves, and predicting valve treatment successes. In at least one embodiment of an endograft valve device of the present disclosure, the device comprises an endograft body configured for expansion from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration within a luminal organ and comprising a first portion having a proximal end defining a proximal end aperture and a distal end defining a distal end aperture, the first portion tapering toward the distal end so that the distal end aperture has a relatively smaller cross-sectional area than the proximal end aperture when the valve device is expanded, and a valve portion positioned at or near the distal end of the first portion, the valve portion configured to receive fluid flowing through the distal end aperture of the first portion. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073026 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TREATING VASCULAR ABNORMALITIES - A vascular device is provided that includes a tubular structure and an occluding structure. The tubular structure has inner and outer layers, with the occluding structure located between the inner and outer layers. Each of the inner and outer layers may define a different pick count, and the tubular structure may include a leading edge at a transition between the pick counts. The leading edge may be disposed at the distal end of the vascular device when the device is deployed from a delivery device. Furthermore, the occluding structure may have first and second layers formed by the inversion or eversion of the occluding structure and the subsequent coupling of its free ends to form a continuous structure. Thus, any loose ends may be sealed to minimize unraveling and/or shifting of the occluding structure within the tubular structure. A method of making the vascular device is also provided. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073027 | STENT GRAFT WITH FLANGED CONTRALATERAL GATE FOR ENDOVASCULAR ANEURYSM REPAIR - A stent graft is disclosed. The stent graft includes a body portion having a sidewall and an opening at the top. The top of the sidewall is configured and arranged to engage a wall of an aorta above an aneurysmal site of a patient. An ipsilateral limb descends from the body portion. The ipsilateral limb is configured and arranged to descend into one of an iliac arteries. The stent graft further includes a contralateral gate that has a flared opening. The contralateral gate is configured and arranged to align with the other of the iliac arteries. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073028 | Co-BASED ALLOYS FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS AND STENT - A first object of the present invention is to provide Co-based alloys for biomedical applications which are Ni-free, high intensity and high elastic modulus and are suitable for plastic workability. Moreover, a second object of the present invention is to provide Co-based alloys for biomedical applications having X-ray visibility. Furthermore, a third object of the present invention is to provide a stent using the alloys. The Co-based alloys for biomedical applications according to the present invention is configured by adding alloy elements having biocompatibility and an effect of increasing stacking fault energy of the alloys. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073029 | MEDICAL DEVICE FIXATION ANCHORS - An implantable medical device includes a frame that includes at least one elongate member. The implantable medical device also includes a fixation member comprising a first cuff, a second cuff, a tissue engagement member configured to anchor to tissue at an implant site to thereby hold the implantable medical device in a position at the implant site, and a cuff joining member comprising an arcuate shape and connected at a first end to the first cuff and at a second end to the second cuff. The first cuff substantially surrounds a perimeter of a first portion of the at least one elongate member, the second cuff substantially surrounds a perimeter of a second portion of the at least one elongate member, and the cuff joining member does not substantially surround a perimeter of any portion of the at least one elongate member. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073030 | Prosthetic Valve - In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a valve prosthesis for attachment to a native valve complex of a subject. The prosthesis is configured to assume a compressed delivery state and an uncompressed implantation state. The prosthesis includes a support frame, which is shaped so as to define an upstream inlet having upstream-most portions that are tapered in an upstream direction toward a central longitudinal axis of the prosthesis when the prosthesis assumes the compressed delivery state, and a flexible prosthetic heart valve component, coupled to the support frame. Other embodiments are also described. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073031 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HOLDING ANNULOPLASTY RINGS - Holders for releasably holding annuloplasty rings prior to and during the implantation of the rings employ any of a variety of features relating to such things as holder shape, handle attachment structures, securement of a ring to the holder, and release of the ring from the holder. In one aspect, the holder includes a flexible bracket and a more rigid connector. In another aspect, the holder includes a flexible bracket and cutting blocks, wherein the interior surface of the cutting block is made of a higher durometer material than the bracket. The interior surface of the cutting block can be coated with a higher durometer material than the material of the bracket. In another aspect, the holder includes a flexible bracket and cutting blocks made of a higher durometer material than the flexible bracket. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073032 | EXPANDABLE RADIOPAQUE MARKER FOR TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE IMPLANTATION - A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a support shaft around which a compartment for the valve is defined, a distal sheath adapted to selectively cover and uncover the compartment and the valve, and a marker cage having a collapsed condition when the distal sheath covers the compartment and an expanded condition when the compartment is uncovered. The marker cage includes at least one rib having a radiopaque marker for determining the positioning of the valve as it is deployed. The valve may be assembled around the marker cage so that the marker cage does not interfere with the radial expansion of the valve during deployment. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073033 | EXPANDABLE ANNULOPLASTY RING AND ASSOCIATED RING HOLDER - Devices and methods are provided for surgical repair of dilated aortic root to restore aortic valve competence while preserving native leaflets. In one aspect of the invention an expandable annuloplasty ring is provided for external placement at the base of a dilated aortic root. The expandable ring is capable of elastically expanding between a first diastolic diameter and a larger second systolic diameter to provide a physiologically representative surgical repair of the aortic root. In a further aspect of the invention, is provided a holder assembly for aortic annuloplasty ring and suitable for other cardiac valve prosthesis. The holder assembly consists of a holder body pivotingly coupled to a handle member through a ball-and-socket arrangement. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073034 | Leaflet Reinforcement For Regurgitant Valves - A support, and a method for attaching said support, for providing additional strength to existing regurgitant or prolapsed valve leaflets. The support restores an otherwise non-functioning, or poorly functioning, native valve to a functioning condition, obviating the need for a complete valve removal or replacement. The support may also be applied to a functioning valve leaflet as a prophylactic measure against future failure. The delivery method includes a delivery mechanism for attaching the support to the native valve leaflet. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073035 | Valve Suturing and Implantation Procedures - A prosthesis for implantation at a native semilunar valve includes a prosthetic distal valve, which includes a pliant material configured to collapse inwardly towards a longitudinal axis of the prosthesis during diastole, and to open outwardly during systole, and a distal fixation member configured to be positioned in a downstream artery of the subject. The apparatus also includes a proximal fixation member coupled to the distal fixation member, and configured to be positioned at least partially on a ventricular side of the native semilunar valve. The proximal fixation member is shaped so as to define a lattice that is shaped so as to define an intermediary portion that is coupled to the pliant material of the valve and diverges outwardly from the longitudinal axis, and a distal portion that is distal to the intermediary portion and diverges outwardly from the intermediary portion of the lattice. Other embodiments are also described. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073036 | Cardiac Valve Procedure Methods and Devices - A method of treating a diseased cardiac valve can include implanting a valve prosthesis by compressing the valve prosthesis to a compressed state for delivery and expanding the valve prosthesis to an expanded state for deployment. The valve prosthesis can include a valve fixation device having a plurality of struts, a first circumferential row of cells coupled to the struts, and a second circumferential row of cells coupled to the struts. The struts are substantially rigid such that the struts do not change dimensions between the compressed state and the expanded state. The valve prosthesis can also include a plurality of leaflets and a plurality of commissures. The valve is coupled to the valve fixation device such that the commissures are radially aligned with respective struts of the plurality of struts. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073037 | PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE IMPLANTATION - A prosthetic heart valve includes an expandable stent and a leaflet assembly coupled to the expandable stent. The expandable stent is radially expandable from a first size for intraluminal delivery through a body passageway to a second size for implantation of the prosthetic heart valve in the body passageway. The leaflet assembly includes leaflets movable between an open position permitting flow past the expanded stent and a closed position substantially restricting flow past the expanded stent. Each of the leaflets is coaptable with each of the other leaflets in the closed position to define a coaptation region of about 15 percent to about 35 percent of the overall height of each of the plurality of leaflets. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073038 | Vision Prosthesis - A vision prosthesis includes an intra-ocular lens system having a variable focal length; and a controller that causes a change in the focal length thereof. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073039 | PUPIL CENTERED FOVEA FOCUSED OPTICS ASSEMBLY FOR INTRAOCULAR LENS - The embodiments herein provide a pupil centered and fovea focused optics assembly comprising a ring platform provided inside a capsular bag of a mammalian eye to support an intraocular lens. The optical center of the intraocular lens is decentered with respect to the geometric center of the intraocular lens to align the optical centre of the lens with a visual axis of a pupil of the mammalian eye to improve the visual quality and to prevent an aberration. A plane of the intraocular lens is turned and tilted through a preset angle to point an optic axis of the intraocular lens to the Fovea. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073040 | Silicone Breast Implant Delivery - A tapered sleeve is provided that includes a hydrophilic coating on an inner surface. In use, the device is typically removed from sterile packaging and soaked to activate the lubricous properties of the coating. An implant (e.g., a pre-filled silicon breast implant) is introduced into a large end of the sleeve and extruded into a surgical pocket of minimal access incision size through a small-sized end of the device. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073041 | MEDICAL IMPLANTS WITH RESERVOIR (S), AND MATERIALS PREPARABLE FROM SAME - Described is a medically useful article comprising a three-dimensional body including one or more implantable substances, wherein the body defines one or more reservoirs for receiving amounts of a biocompatible wetting liquid. In certain embodiments the body is disruptable upon wetting with the biocompatible liquid to form a conformable implantable material such as a putty, paste or more flowable wetted implant material. Also described are methods for manufacturing such medical materials, and methods for using such medical materials to treat patients. | 2013-03-21 |
20130073042 | Medical Implants With Increased Hydrophilicity - Devices such as orthopedic implants are composed of a thermoplastic resin such as polyaryletheretherketone (PEEK), and include a ceramic species, such as a zeolite, to enhance its hydrophilic properties. The ceramic species can be a surface coating, can be incorporated or embedded into the thermoplastic resin, or can be both a surface coating and incorporated or embedded into the resin. In certain embodiments, the ceramic species is zeolite that is incorporated into the device, especially at the exposed surface of the device, and is devoid of antimicrobial metal ions. The device is introduced into the body surgically. | 2013-03-21 |