31st week of 2010 patent applcation highlights part 60 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20100198183 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FLUID DELIVERY - A fill adapter system for an infusion pump assembly. The system includes a reusable fill adapter base, the base including a volume control mechanism to adjust an available fill volume of a reservoir of the infusion pump assembly and a pump mechanism configured to pump air into a fluid vial. The system also includes a vial adapter assembly including a first needle configured to penetrate a septum of the fluid vial for fluidly coupling the pump mechanism to the fluid vial and a second needle having a first end configured to penetrate the septum of the fluid vial and a second end configured to penetrate a septum of the reservoir of the infusion pump assembly to allow transfer of fluid from the fluid vial to the reservoir of the infusion pump assembly in response to air being pumped into the fluid vial and a needle carriage adapted to carry the first needle and the second needle, wherein the needle carriage slidably attached to the interior of the vial adapter assembly, wherein the needle carriage adapted to slide from a vial end of the vial adapter to a receptacle end of the vial adapter. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198184 | CONTAINER FOR PUMP SYSTEM - A container for housing a fluid therapeutic composition includes a rigid housing, a collapsible bag and a seal. The housing has an opening and an interior surface. The interior surface forms a cavity having a volume. The bag is disposed in the housing and is expandable to contact the interior surface of the housing and occupy the entire volume of the cavity when filled with the fluid therapeutic composition. The bag has an opening that is fixed in proximity to the opening of the housing. The seal is configured to prevent air from entering the bag via the bag opening and to prevent air from entering the cavity of the housing via the housing opening. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198185 | MULTI-CHAMBER BAG FOR USE WITH ENTERAL NUTRITION - The container according to the invention for use in enteral nutrition is characterized in that the container is a multi-chamber bag with at least two chambers separated from one another, wherein at least one chamber contains an enteral nutritive solution with a first energy content and at least one chamber contains a fluid for covering the fluid requirement with an energy content which is less than the energy content of the enteral nutritive solution. Since, with the multi-chamber bag according to the invention, both the enteral nutritive solution and the fluid also required for covering the fluid requirement are made available directly, the application in the case of enteral nutrition is simplified. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198186 | DUAL-LUMEN CATHETER FOR MEDICAL DEVICE DELIVERY SYSTEMS - A catheter assembly having a dual lumen proximal tubular portion including a guidewire lumen and an inflation lumen and a single lumen distal tubular portion that receives the guidewire and can additionally receive fluid. The catheter assembly includes flow passages in allow fluid to flow from the interior of the catheter to the exterior. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198187 | VENTED DISPENSING DEVICE AND METHOD - Disclosed is a fluid dispensing device that includes at least one reservoir to hold the therapeutic fluid, at least one other unit requiring communication with ambient air, at least partly, to operate, and at least one housing defining an interior to retain the at least one reservoir and the at least one other unit. The at least one housing has at least one vent port formed on one or more of its walls. The at least one vent port is adapted to direct or communicate air to maintain pressure equilibrium between the air pressure in the interior of the at least one housing and the ambient air pressure outside the at least one housing, and provide communication with the ambient air to the at least one other unit requiring air to enable operation of the at least one other unit. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198188 | Devices and Methods for Metering Insoluble Active Agent Particles - Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to devices for delivering a predetermined amount of an active agent to a subject by inclusion of a detector configured to detect the number of insoluble active agent particles in a fluid flowing by the detector. A controller is operably connected to the detector and configured to determine the amount of the active agent to be delivered to the subject based on the number of insoluble active agent particles flowing by the detector. Also provided are methods of using the subject devices for delivering a predetermined amount of an active agent to a subject. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198189 | SPINAL MULTISEGMENTAL CELL AND DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM - Delivery devices and methods related thereto may be used in humans for spinal delivery of cells, drugs or vectors. The patient population may include patients with spinal traumatic injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, spinal ischemia and any other spinal neurodegenerative disorders which will require spinal cell, vector or drug delivery. Unlike conventional methods which require multiple injection sites to make multiple, localized substrate deliveries, the delivery devices and methods of the present invention may allow for multiple substrate delivery locations with homogeneous substrate delivery with a single injection site. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198190 | LOCAL DELIVERY OF WATER-SOLUBLE OR WATER-INSOLUBLE THERAPEUTIC AGENTS TO THE SURFACE OF BODY LUMENS - A method and device for local delivery of water-soluble or water-insoluble therapeutic agents to the tissue of a normal or diseased body lumen is disclosed. An expandable structure of a medical disposable device, such as a balloon of a balloon catheter, is coated with a non-durable coating which is complexed with iodine and has a substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent dispersed therein. The medical disposable device is inserted into a body lumen, and expanded to contact the non-durable coating against the body lumen and deliver the substantially water-insoluble therapeutic agent to the body lumen tissue. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198191 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TREATING TARGET TISSUE WITHIN THE EUSTACHIAN TUBE - Methods and systems for accessing a Eustachian tube of a patient are disclosed. The system includes a guide configured for passing into a nasal passage of the patient to position a distal tip of the catheter at or near a Eustachian tube, the guide having a distal tip with a bend having an angle between 30 and 90 degrees; and a guidewire configured to pass through the guide into the Eustachian tube. A device for providing therapy to the Eustachian tube is passed through the guide. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198192 | Anchor deployment devices and related methods - Described here are devices, methods, and kits for the deployment of tissue anchors. In some variations, the devices may comprise a shaft defining a lumen for housing at least one anchor therein and a mechanism for deploying the anchor distally from the lumen. In certain variations, the devices may comprise one or more stop elements. For example, a device may comprise a stop element that limits the advancement of the device through an opening in a wall portion or at the distal end of another device. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198193 | POLYMER SHRINK TUBES AND NOVEL USES THEREFOR - Novel polymer shrink tubes, such as fluoropolymer shrink tubes and novel uses thereof. The polymer shrink tubes include at least one three-dimensional pattern formed along at least a portion of the inner surface of the tube. The polymer shrink tubes can be used for, for example, embossing a pattern into a polymer tube. Further use includes, for example, forming a catheter with at least one channel located in the catheter wall. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198194 | Telescoping Guide Catheter with Peel-Away Outer Sheath - A guide catheter includes an outer guide having an open lumen and a longitudinal pre-stress line extending between a distal end and a proximal end of the outer guide. The outer guide has a longitudinal stiffness that facilitates transmission of forces and prevention of kinking during steering of the outer guide within cardiac vasculature and structures. An inner guide has an open lumen and is movably displaceable within the open lumen of the outer guide. At least a distal end of the outer guide and inner guide are dimensioned for passage into the patient's coronary sinus. A guide handle is connected to the proximal end of the outer guide and includes a longitudinal pre-stress line separable into at least two sections such that guide handle separation splits the outer guide along the longitudinal pre-stress line at the proximal end of the outer guide. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198196 | Therapy Delivery Device Programming Tool - Methods and devices for providing programming tool for programming the initial and on-going operation of a therapy delivery device is provided. Embodiments include generating empirical rules for determining initial operating settings, applying the final empirical rules to a patient population, detecting a connection to a therapy delivery device, identifying the connected delivery device, receiving data download request from the delivery device. retrieving updated data associated with the connected delivery device; visualizing changes to the settings data of the device, and automatically transmitting the retrieved updated data to the delivery device. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198197 | Process of use of a device for Cornea Transplantation - The object of this patent belongs to the field of opthalmology and is a surgical instrument ( | 2010-08-05 |
20100198198 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCED CORNEAL ACCOMMODATION - A method and apparatus related to enhancing corneal accommodation to address the effect of presbyopia. Corneal/scleral topology measurements in accommodating and non-accommodating states are indicative of a presbyopic subject's nominal corneal accommodative power. A desired accommodative power intended to improve on the effect of presbyopia can be determined, suggesting a selective biomechanical intervention in the corneal structure outside of the optical zone to create flexure regions. These flexure regions would allow enhanced corneal accommodation upon presentation of an accommodating stimulus. Intervention could be in the form of, for example, corneal surface ablation, intrastromal ablation, conductive keratoplasty (CK), laser thermal keratoplasty (LTK), and corneal and/or scleral implants. An improved topology measuring apparatus having an improved field of view and other attributes is disclosed. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198199 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TREATING SKIN WITH TEMPERATURE CONTROL - The presently described subject matter provides a method and system for heating a skin area surface of an individual from an initial temperature to a treatment temperature in a treatment time period exceeding 0.5 sec, where the treatment temperature is in the range of 40°-60° C. An RF generator provides a continuous wave RF voltage energy or a quasi-continuous wave RF voltage across first and second electrode, where at least the first electrode is associated with an applicator that is displaced over the skin surface. The system further includes a skin temperature measuring device or an applicator displacement speed measuring device; and a CPU that monitors a skin temperature or an applicator displacement speed. The CPU turns off the RF energy when the skin temperature is above a predetermined temperature or the displacement speed of the applicator is below a predetermined speed, in order to prevent overheating of the skin. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198200 | Smart Illumination for Surgical Devices - In various embodiments, a device (such as a surgical footswitch, handpiece, etc.) and a surgical console may be used by an operator during a surgical procedure and/or in an office. The device may communicate with the surgical console to receive information associated with a procedure (e.g., information relative to the device, console, or other equipment used in a surgical procedure). In some embodiments, the information may be determined/generated at the device (i.e. and not necessarily received from the surgical console). Based on the information, a configuration may be determined (e.g., at the device, at the console, etc.) for one or more indicators on the device to provide at least part of the information to the operator of the device. The at least one indicator on the device may thus be illuminated to provide the operator at least part of the information associated with the procedure. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198201 | PORTABLE IRRADIATING ARRANGEMENT - The present disclosure relates to a portable irradiating arrangement having a light source, particularly a laser diode, comprising an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, and a radiation distributing probe, whereby the inner sleeve is mounted in the outer sleeve and the radiation distributing probe may be attached at a probe-facing end of the outer sleeve, whereby the irradiating arrangement is designed in such a way that the light source can be turned on only when the radiation distributing probe is attached to the outer sleeve. The invention relates further to a portable irradiating arrangement, in which the inner sleeve is in contact with the radiation distributing probe in such a way that the inner sleeve must be detached from the radiation distributing probe before removal of the radiation distributing probe from the outer sleeve. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198202 | CRYOBIOPSY PROBE - A cryosurgical instrument for separating a tissue sample from a biological tissue to be treated, for purposes of biopsy. The cryosurgical instrument includes a probe for bringing a probe head up to the biological tissue and a gas line for supplying cooling gas from a gas source of a cryosurgical apparatus to the probe head. The probe head cools a limited tissue region, by means of the supplied gas, for obtaining a tissue sample. The tissue sample can be separated from the surrounding tissue when frozen onto the probe head. The instrument has a support tube in which the probe is guided and which can be moved relative to the probe in such a way that the surrounding tissue can be supported by means of the support tube during the separating of the tissue sample. The instrument also includes an accelerating device that provides a predefined force for the separating process. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198203 | ISOLATION OF PULMONARY VEIN - The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for the improved isolation and corresponding treatment of tissue targeted for cryogenic or other thermal therapy to increase the thermal efficacy and thermal efficiency of the treatment. In particular, the present invention provides methods and systems for improved thermal treatment of target tissue, such as a pulmonary vein and/or regions of the left atrium by reducing the resistive forces and/or increased thermal energy experienced from blood flow exiting the pulmonary vein into the left atrium during treatment. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198204 | MEDICAL DEVICES INCORPORATING THERMOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER AND CONTROLLER - A temperature control system may include a thermoelectric device, a controller electrically coupled to the thermoelectric device, a heat transfer structure thermally coupled to the thermoelectric device, and a temperature controlled medium thermally coupled to the thermoelectric device. The controller may be configured to sense a first value of an electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device and to generate a first electrical control signal to pump heat through the thermoelectric device in response to sensing the first value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device. The controller may be further configured to sense a second value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device and to generate a second electrical control signal to pump heat through the thermoelectric device in response to sensing the second value of the electrical characteristic of the thermoelectric device. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198205 | Low Pressure Liquid Nitrogen Cryosurgical System - A cryosurgical system using a low-pressure liquid nitrogen supply, which requires only 0.5 to 1 bar of pressure to provide adequate cooling power for treatment of typical breast lesions. The pressure may be provided by supplying lightly pressurized air into the dewar, by heating a small portion of the nitrogen in the dewar, or with a small low pressure pump. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198206 | Cryoprobe With Vibrating Mechanism - Cryoprobes and a cryotherapy method. A cryoprobe includes: a shaft having a central axis, a tip at a first end, a male socket section at a second end opposite the first end, a cryogen feeding pipe extending from the tip through the male socket section along the axis, and a cryogen return passage extending from the tip through the male socket section; and a handle having a female socket adapted and configured to receive and connect with the male socket section in a quick connect manner, a vibration section that selectively causes vibration along the axis, a cryogen exhaust passage extending from the female socket to an exterior of the handle, and a cryogen supply tube connected to the female socket at an end of the tube. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198207 | SUBDERMAL CRYOGENIC REMODELING OF MUSCLES, NERVES, CONNECTIVE TISSUE, AND/OR ADIPOSE TISSUE (FAT) - Devices, systems, and methods treat cosmetic defects, and often apply cooling with at least one tissue-penetrating probe inserted through of the skin of a patient. The cooling may remodel one or more target tissue so as to effect a desired change in a composition of the target tissue and/or a change in its behavior. Exemplary embodiments of the cooling treatments will interfere with the nerve/muscle contractile function chain so as to mitigate wrinkles of the skin. Related treatments may be used therapeutically for treatment of back and other muscle spasms, chronic pain, and the like. Some embodiments may remodel subcutaneous adipose tissue so as to alter a shape or appearance of the skin surface. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198208 | DIAGNOSTIC CATHETERS, GUIDE CATHETERS, VISUALIZATION DEVICES AND CHORD MANIPULATION DEVICES, AND RELATED KITS AND METHODS - Described herein are devices, methods and kits for assessing and/or enhancing the accessibility of a subvalvular space of a heart, accessing the subvalvular space of the heart (e.g., to provide access for one or more other devices), and/or positioning one or more devices in the subvalvular space of the heart. The devices described herein may, for example, comprise catheters that may be used to manipulate one or more chordae tendineae, diagnostic catheters having different sizes and/or shapes (e.g., different curvatures), guide catheters having different sizes and/or shapes (e.g., different curvatures), and visualization catheters. In some variations, the devices, methods, and/or kits may be used to visualize a target site, such as a subannular groove of a heart valve. In certain variations, the devices, methods, and/or kits may be used to manipulate chordae tendineae to provide additional space in a ventricle of a heart (e.g., enhancing the accessibility of the ventricle). | 2010-08-05 |
20100198209 | Hemorrhoid Therapy and Method - Methods and apparatus for treating hemorrhoids are provided. One feature of a vapor therapy apparatus is generating vapor with an electrode array in an elongate shaft. The apparatus may include a vapor delivery needle for delivering high temperature condensable vapor to a hemorrhoid. In some embodiments, the delivery needle is inserted into a hemorrhoid and a vapor of approximately 104-120 degrees Celsius is delivered into the hemorrhoid. The vapor can be delivered for approximately 1-5 seconds. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198210 | PARTICLES - Particles and related methods are disclosed. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198211 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR VALVE REMOVAL - Devices, systems, and methods for percutaneous and mini-invasive valve removal are provided. In at least one embodiment of a device for removing a valve, said device comprises a catheter, two mesh umbrellas coupled thereto, a cauterizing mechanism operable to excise a valve from a vessel, and a mechanical drill operable to grind said excised valve to allow for removal of the ground excised valve by way of an enclosure created by the two mesh umbrellas. In another embodiment, a temporary stent valve is positioned near the valve to be excised to avoid aortic insufficiency during valve excision. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198212 | PULSED RADIOFREQUENCY FOR INTRA-ARTICULAR THERAPY OF PAIN - The invention provides for a method of treating pain in a joint of a subject with pulsed radiofrequency. To enable such a treatment a specific electrode is provided comprising a completely insulated outer needle with a sharp tip, a removable stylet, and one or more conductive, blunt ended, optionally flexible electrodes, optionally with an insulated tip. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198213 | CIRCUIT FOR RADIOFREQUENCY DEVICES APPLICABLE TO LIVING TISSUES AND DEVICE CONTAINING SAME - The supply circuit for the electrodes comprises a series resonant filter and a parallel resonant filter, synthonised to admit the fundamental signal of the input signal and simultaneously and exponentially attenuate the remaining harmonics by increasing the frequency thereof, in such a way that the input signal with harmonics only passes the fundamental signal without attenuation to the output, while the harmonics causing interferences are increasingly attenuated as their frequency is raised. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198214 | CERVICAL OPENING SEALING DEVICES - A device for sealing a cervical opening includes a support structure, and a seal coupled to the support structure, the seal having a surface for abutting against tissue next to the cervical opening, wherein the seal is tiltable relative to the support structure. A device for sealing a cervical opening includes a support structure, and a member coupled to the support structure, wherein the member is inflatable to create a seal for abutting against cervical tissue. A device for sealing a cervical opening includes a seal having a surface for contacting tissue next to the cervical opening, an opening formed on the surface of the seal, and a vacuum port, wherein the opening is in fluid communication with the vacuum port. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198215 | IN VIVO ACCESSORIES FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE ROBOTIC SURGERY - Surgical accessories are presented in vivo and used by surgical tools in the surgical site to perform additional tasks without the need to remove the tools from the surgical site for tool change or instrument loading. Examples of in vivo accessories include fastening accessories such as surgical clips for use with a clip applier, single working member accessories such as a blade which can be grasped and manipulated by a grasping tool for cutting, sheath accessories that fit over working members of a tool, flow tubes for providing suction or introducing a fluid into the surgical site, and a retraction member resiliently biased to retract a tissue to expose an area in the surgical site for treatment. The accessories can be introduced into the surgical site by a dedicated accessory introducer, or can be supported on the body of a surgical tool inserted into the surgical site and be manipulated using another surgical tool in the surgical site. The accessory introducer can be resiliently biased to bias the accessories toward a predetermined position in the surgical site. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198216 | Electro-thermotherapy of tissue using penetrating microelectrode array - Electrosurgical therapy is provided with an electrode array configured to ablate tissue during insertion of the electrode array into tissue being treated. Once the electrode array is fully inserted, deep heating of the treated tissue can be performed by applying an additional waveform to the tissue with the electrode array. Optionally, the electrical waveform can be varied continuously during insertion of the electrode array to control the extent of coagulation at the side walls and at the bottom of the channels produced by tissue ablation. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198217 | HIGH FREQUENCY SURGERY APPARATUS AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME - The invention concerns a high frequency surgery apparatus for cutting and/or coagulating biological tissue and methods of operating same. The high frequency surgery apparatus includes at least one high frequency generator which in operation forms a high frequency circuit with the tissue to be treated, with the production of an arc, and at least one measuring and calculating device which is connected for signal transmission to the high frequency circuit and which is adapted in operation to ascertain both a DC voltage in the high frequency circuit and also the amplitudes of at least one even and at least one odd harmonic of a fundamental frequency of the high frequency generator and to form a first tissue parameter representative of the kind of tissue to be treated from the relationship of the sum of the amplitudes of the even and the odd harmonics to the DC voltage and to output a tissue signal dependent on the first tissue parameter for subsequent processing. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198218 | REPLACEABLE END-EFFECTOR CARTRIDGES WITH CAM MECHANISMS - In one embodiment of the invention, a replaceable electrosurgical end effector cartridge is provided to couple to a mechanical wrist of a surgical instrument for a robotic surgical system. The replaceable electrosurgical end effector cartridge includes two end effectors, a fastener to rotatably couple the two end effectors together, and a cam mechanism. At least one of the two end effectors is a moveable end effector having a jaw portion, an off-center portion, and a base portion. The cam mechanism is coupled to the base portion of the at least one moveable end effector to pivot it about the fastener to open and close the jaw portion of the at least one moveable end effector with respect to the other. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198219 | INSTRUMENT AND SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL CUTTING AND EVOKED POTENTIAL MONITORING - A surgical cutting instrument for use with a drive motor, and related system and method, is described. The surgical cutting instrument includes an elongated drive member, a cutting tip secured to the drive member, a non-conductive coupling body adapted for connection to a motor assembly, a housing maintaining the coupling body, a fluid coupling assembly and an electrical connector for connection to a stimulating energy source. The electrical connector is in electrical communication with the cutting tip via an electrical pathway. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198220 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND COMPONENTS FOR USE IN STERILE ENVIRONMENTS - A surgical instrument comprises a first portion encapsulated by a membrane and a second portion comprising a surgical instrument body and a cavity in the surgical instrument body. The cavity is configured to receive the first portion. The second portion comprises a first region comprising an opening in communication with the cavity, and a closure member movable between a first position and a second position. The closure member is in sealable engagement with the second region when it is in the first position and is at least partially free from sealable engagement with the second region when it is in the second position. One or more electrical contacts on the first portion or the second portion are configured to penetrate the membrane to allow a connection to be made between the first portion and the second portion when the closure member moves from the second position into the first position. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198221 | Ratcheting Epiphysiodesis Plate - A ratcheting epiphysiodesis plate comprises a female base half having a ratchet arm and a male sliding half having a series of ratchet teeth, the male sliding half being slidably connected to the female base half with the ratchet arm engaging the ratchet teeth, one of the female and male sliding halves including a first fixation element receiving hole for receiving therethrough a fixation element for binding the plate to a bone. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198222 | Rongeur - A rongeur has a fixed shank and a moveable crossbar. The crossbar is connected to and axially aligned with the fixed shank. The crossbar has a distal end with a cutting portion located therein. A port is connected to one of the fixed shank and the moveable crossbar. An access channel is connected to the port and provides improved flushing, cleaning, sterilization, drying and/or lubricating capabilities. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198223 | Osteochondral Implant Fixation Method - A surgical procedure and a device used in the procedure according to which one end portion of a guide rod is inserted into the condyle of a damaged area of a human. The rod is used as a guide for a drill bit and a chisel to cut an opening in the condyle. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198224 | Prosthesis and Implementation System - A prosthesis for replacing a selected portion of the anatomy is disclosed. Also disclosed is an exemplary method and apparatus for performing a procedure. The procedure can be minimally or less invasive. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198225 | SHAPE MEMORY SPINE JACK - The present invention relates to a method of repairing vertebral bodies and of controlling vertebral height augmentation. In particular, the invention relates to a spine jack and more particularly to a spine jack comprising shape memory material for use in the method of repair. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198226 | Method and instrumentation for posterior interbody fusion - A method and instrumentation for spinal interbody fusion is disclosed. The instruments and methods are particularly adapted for interbody fusion from a posterior approach to the spine. One instrument is a retractor having a lockable pivotally mounted handle. Another instrument is a template for straddling the dura. A modular distractor is also provided and preferably includes a tapered shaft with a visualization window disposed therein. Yet another instrument is a depth gauge to verify bone opening depth and dimension, preferably including a radiopaque portion. A method contemplates the use of these instruments to prepare a disc space to receive an implant. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198227 | SURGICAL DEPTH INSTRUMENT - An instrument that measures the depth of an open or closed hole in a bone or other tissue electronically, provides a rotatable display of information relating to the depth. The surgical depth gauge comprises a probe insertable into the hole that measures a depth that is communicated to the rotatable display. The display may be rotatable in one, two, or three dimensions, and may be implemented as a wired or wireless display. A locking mechanism may be provided to lock the display in a particular orientation best suited for a particular situation. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198228 | A Jig - The present invention provides a jig for use in relation to the surgical treatment of a bone having a bone fracture, the jig being formed to receive at least part of the bone about the bone fracture; said jig ( | 2010-08-05 |
20100198229 | LEAD EXTRACTION METHODS AND APPARATUS - According to one aspect, a device for assisting in removing an implanted lead is provided. The device comprises a body portion having a center adapted to accommodate the lead, a cutting component coupled to the body portion to assist in separating tissue from the lead, and at least one anchoring component disposed at least partially within the body portion, the at least one anchoring component capable of providing pressure on the lead that resists movement of at least part of the body portion along the lead at least in part by applying fluid pressure. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198230 | MINIATURE BONE-ATTACHED SURGICAL ROBOT - Disclosed are methods for performing a surgical procedure at a surgical site utilizing a surgical robot. Other embodiments are also disclosed. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198231 | METHODS FOR REPLACEABLE END-EFFECTOR CARTRIDGES - In one embodiment of the invention, a replaceable electrosurgical end effector cartridge is provided to couple to a mechanical wrist of a surgical instrument for a robotic surgical system. The replaceable electrosurgical end effector cartridge includes two end effectors, a fastener to rotatably couple the two end effectors together, and a cam mechanism. At least one of the two end effectors is a moveable end effector having a jaw portion, an off-center portion, and a base portion. The cam mechanism is coupled to the base portion of the at least one moveable end effector to pivot it about the fastener to open and close the jaw portion of the at least one moveable end effector with respect to the other. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198232 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL SYSTEM - A control system for a minimally invasive surgical system. In one aspect the control system is a distributed system. A control and transform processor receives data from a master arm controller, an instrument controller, an imaging system controller, and a guide tube controller and distributes data received from one controller to the other controllers. The other controllers use the received data, along with received optimization goals, to control associated slave arms in a distributed but coordinated way. In another aspect, the control system is centralized, in which a motion coordinator receives master inputs, sensor inputs from the slave arms, and optimization inputs. The motion coordinator uses the received inputs to output control signals to an instrument, an imaging system, and a guide tube controller. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198233 | EPILATOR HEAD FOR TRAPPING HAIR AND EPILATOR WITH SUCH HEAD - The invention is directed to an epilator head for trapping hair for removal. The head comprising a rotating body which has an axis of rotation and is adapted to be rotated by a motor. At least one pair of pincers is arranged at or in the rotating body. The pair of pincers are able to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body. At least their outermost ends are adapted to move towards each other and away from each other depending on the rotary location of the rotating body. According to an aspect of the invention at least one intermediate member is provided which is arranged such that it is at least linearly moveable between the outermost ends of the pincers. Another aspect of the invention is that the pair of pincers only extend on one side of the axis of rotation. A further aspect of the present invention provides at least one spring which is located between the pair of pincers and which is arranged to bias the pincers either away from each other or towards each other. According to a further aspect of the present invention at least one actuator is provided for the pair of pincers. It is preferably supported to move along or parallel to the axis of rotation and engages a first pincer adjacent an end thereof being distal to the axis of rotation and a second pincer at or adjacent an end thereof being proximal to the axis of rotation. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198234 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT FOR SUTURING THE SKELETAL MUSCLE SYSTEM AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE USING SAME - Surgical suture instrument for the muscular-skeletal system and the surgical technique used by same. A surgical suture system includes an instrument providing for the suture of muscular-skeletal system tissues by the use of blades which go from a withdrawn position to a position for the incision of the tissue to be sutured. The blades carry the suture, which is attached to the tissue by the incision of the blades, in response to a drive force aimed longitudinally from back to front, towards the surgical field. The instrument and the surgical technique allow for single or continuous stitching of suture on all tissue types. Its use in bone suture is particularly surprising, making it possible to join bones, implants, grafts, chondrocyte membranes, flaps, tendons, cartilage, etc. The surgical technique for which the surgical suture instrument is used can be applied in open surgery and in arthroscopy. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198235 | SURGICAL SUTURE PASSER AND METHOD FOR PASSING SUTURE - A suture placement system that serves as both an open or endoscopic surgical repair means wherein tissue defects can be externally ligated in close opposition by the steps of: passing a sharp penetrating needle through tissue, wherein the sharp penetrating needle carries a suture near the distal end of the needle; capturing a portion of the suture with a snare that is mounted to an axially and rotationally mobile armature that is carried by the needle; and withdrawing a portion of the suture which has been passed through the tissue which is to be repaired. And a suture placement system that serves as both an open or endoscopic surgical repair means wherein tissue defects can be externally ligated in close opposition by the steps of: passing a sharp penetrating needle comprising a shaft and handle through tissue, wherein the sharp penetrating needle carries a suture snare near the distal end of the needle; positioning a suture adjacent to the suture snare using a cannula that is mounted to an axially and rotationally mobile armature that is carried by the needle; capturing a portion of the suture with the suture snare; and withdrawing a portion of the suture through the tissue which is to be repaired. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198236 | Surgical Meshes and Methods of Use - Surgical meshes having a plurality of aperture reducing a patient's foreign-body reaction and thereby reducing foreign body inoculum at a surgical site. The plurality of apertures within the surgical meshes may be placed against or immediately adjacent a surgical site or incision. The plurality of apertures may be placed within the mesh to avoid critical knots or loops and thus the creation of the plurality of apertures will not weaken or unravel the affected portions of the mesh. Placement of such apertures in close proximity to the surgical site allows for a greater reduction in erosion, extrusion, and incision dehiscence. The surgical meshes of the present invention may comprise a hybrid of materials including at least one permanent material and at least one absorbable material. The scope of the present invention includes the disclosed surgical meshes, their beneficial composition and method of manufacture, and their methods of use. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198237 | MUCOSAL CAPTURE FIXATION OF MEDICAL DEVICE - An implantable medical device and method of implanting a medical device in a hollow organ or cavity lined with the mucosa includes providing a medical device having a wall configured to the size and shape of a portion of a cavity or hollow organ lined with the mucosa. At least one opening is provided in the wall that is large enough to receive a section of the mucosa extending in the opening. The wall is positioned against the portion of the cavity or hollow organ thereby receiving the section of the mucosa within the opening. A retainer may be provided to retain the section of the mucosa within the opening while maintaining perfusion of the section of the mucosa. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198238 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PERIVALVULAR LEAK OCCLUSION - Apparatus and methods for occluding perivalvular leaks located around the periphery of implanted replacement valves. The apparatus and methods may include both distal and proximal covers adapted for placement over a perivalvular leak, with the covers retained in position by tension between the proximal and distal flanges. The distal and proximal covers may be capable of collapsing into a delivery configuration amenable for delivery to an internal body location through a lumen of a delivery catheter and a deployment configuration in which a flange of the cover extends radially outward such that the flange defines a first major surface facing the opposing cover. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198239 | MULTI-MATERIAL ABRADING HEAD FOR ATHERECTOMY DEVICES HAVING LATERALLY DISPLACED CENTER OF MASS - An abrading head for a high-speed rotation atherectomy device is disclosed. The head has its center of mass laterally displaced from the rotational axis of the drive shaft. As the drive shaft spins, centrifugal force forces the abrading head radially outward. At high speeds, and the abrasive portion of the head may subtend an abrading cylinder larger than at low speeds or at rest. The abrading head has two components, each having a different density. The connection portion may be an incomplete cylinder, which fastens onto the drive shaft, and may be a relatively low density metal, such as stainless steel. The eccentric portion may be a relatively high density metal, such as tungsten or tantalum, and is attached to the connection portion. The eccentric portion has all or most of its mass on one side of the rotation axis of the drive shaft, providing a larger separation between the center of mass of the abrading head and the rotational axis of the drive shaft than if the abrading head were made from only one material. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198240 | DEBULKING CATHETERS AND METHODS - A method of removing material from a blood flow lumen includes providing a device having a cutting element and an opening, the cutting element being movable relative to the opening. The method then includes advancing the device through a patient's vascular system to the blood flow lumen. Finally, the method involves moving the cutting element and the opening relative to the blood flow lumen so that a continuous piece of material is severed by the cutting element and directed into the opening as the cutting element and opening move through the blood flow lumen, the continuous piece of severed material being directed into the device for removal from the patient. The method may include providing a device having a rotatable cutter that, in some embodiments, is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device, is movable, has retracted and deployed positions, or any combination thereof. The method may further include forcing the opening toward the wall of the vascular site after the advancing step and before the moving step. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198241 | DEVICE FOR HARVESTING A BLOOD VESSEL - The present invention relates to an apparatus, device and a method for harvesting blood vessels, and in particular, to such an apparatus, device and method in which the internal mammary artery (IMA) is harvested for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery using a minimally invasive approach or a conventional procedure. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198242 | ENDOSCOPIC CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH AXIAL AND ROTARY MOTION - Disclosed herein is an endoscopic surgical assembly having improved cutting efficiency. In particular, the present invention provides an endoscopic shaver assembly configured for automated axial as well as rotational motion so as to enhance tissue resection. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198243 | Lancet depth adjustment assembly - A lancet depth adjustment assembly structured to be used use with a lancet device of the type including a lancet disposed movably within a housing so as to pass into a piercing orientation wherein a piercing tip of the lancet protrudes from a piercing aperture defined in the housing. The lancet depth adjustment assembly includes a depth adjustment element movably secured in overlying relation to the piercing aperture of the housing and having a piercing access including one or more openings structured to permit passage of the piercing tip of the lancet therethrough. The depth adjustment element is structured to be interposed between a finger of a patient and the piercing aperture so as to define a spacing therebetween, and accordingly define a depth to which the piercing tip, which protrudes a defined amount from the housing, penetrates the body part. Furthermore, the depth adjustment element is constructed of a varying thickness so as to vary the spacing between the body part and the piercing aperture in accordance with a thickness of a portion of the depth adjustment element disposed in overlying relation to the piercing aperture at a time of operation of the lancet device. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198244 | SURGICAL SCISSORS - Surgical scissors devices are disclosed. The surgical scissors devices may comprise an end effector with first and second blade members. The first and second blade members may respectively comprise proximally positioned cams and distally positioned blade ends. Also, the first and second blade members may be coupled at a pivot point by a fastener held in tension along its longitudinal axis by the blade members. A reciprocating shuttle may comprise at least one pin positioned within slots defined by the respective cams of the blade members. Distally-directed motion of the shuttle may cause the first and second blade members to open and proximally-directed motion of the shuttle may cause the first and second blade members to close. Methods and apparatuses for forming the surgical scissors device are also disclosed. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198245 | Surgical severing instrument - In a surgical severing instrument comprising two cutting jaws movable relative to each other from an open position to a cutting position by means of hand grips movable relative to each other, in order to improve the handling, in particular, of the severed parts, it is proposed that two clamping jaws movable relative to each other from an initial position to a clamping position be arranged alongside the cutting jaws, and that actuators be provided on the surgical severing instrument, which, upon movement of the cutting jaws from the open position to the cutting position, simultaneously move the clamping jaws from their initial position to the clamping position. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198246 | Puncture device and puncture needle cartridge - A puncture device is constituted such that a plunger ( | 2010-08-05 |
20100198247 | Devices, Systems and Methods for Treating Disorders of the Ear, Nose and Throat - Sinusitis, mucocysts, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, choanal atresia, fractures and other disorders of the paranasal sinuses, Eustachian tubes, Lachrymal ducts and other ear, nose, throat and mouth structures are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies and endoscopic studies. Access and occluding devices may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices such asendoscopes, wires, probes, needles, catheters, balloon catheters, dilation catheters, dilators, balloons, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, suction or irrigation devices, imaging devices, sizing devices, biopsy devices, image-guided devices containing sensors or transmitters, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting or delivering devices and implants, etc. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198248 | SURGICAL DISSECTOR - Various embodiments are directed to a curved-jaw dissector device for use in endoscopic surgical procedures. The device may comprise an end effector, a flexible shaft extending proximally from the end effector; a handle coupled to the proximal portion of the flexible shaft; and a translating member extending from the handle, through the flexible shaft, to the end effector, wherein the translating member is coupled to the handle at an actuator having a first and a second position such that placing the actuator in the first position causes the end effector to be in the closed position and placing the actuator in the second position causes the end effector to be in the open position. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198249 | DEVICE FOR INFLATING A SURGICAL IMPLANT - The invention relates to an inflation device ( | 2010-08-05 |
20100198250 | ENDOVASCULAR PROSTHESIS DELIVERY SYSTEM - An expandable dilation catheter advantageously useful to deliver and orient an endovascular prosthesis with respect to a target body passageway. The catheter comprises a first tubular member disposed in a proximal portion of the portion of the catheter and a second tubular member disposed in a distal portion of the catheter. The first tubular member and the second tubular member are in a spaced relationship with respect to one another. An expandable member (e.g., a balloon) is disposed distally of the second tubular member. A first lumen and a second lumen disposed in each of the first tubular member and in the second tubular member. The first lumen is in communication with an interior of the expandable member to function as an inflation lumen and the second lumen serves to receive a first guidewire. The first tubular member and second tubular member are interconnected by a coupling member. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198251 | Aneurysm Sealing Device - A device useful for treating an aneurysm having a neck comprises a first inflatable disc and a second inflatable disc, said second inflatable disc being adjacent to said first inflatable disc and in fluid communication therewith. The inflatable discs are sized and constructed such that when the inflatable discs are inflated, the aneurysm neck is engaged there between. The inflatable discs may include at least one wall that is substantially inelastic and may include an internal member limiting expansion of the inflatable disc in a direction parallel to the device axis. The inflatable discs may have an aspect ratio greater than 3. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198252 | Blood Clot Filter - A compact blood clot filter having an alignment section that overlaps with a filter section in an axial direction is provided. The filter section has filter struts that extend radially and longitudinally from a hub. The alignment section has alignment struts in which the downstream end of each alignment strut forms a downstream junction with the downstream end of an adjacent alignment strut while the upstream end of each alignment strut forms an upstream junction with the upstream end of an adjacent alignment strut. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198253 | MEDICAL MANIPULATOR - A medical manipulator includes a wire movable in opposite directions, a driven wire having both ends thereof connected to the wire, an end effector of a distal-end working unit, a transmitting member, a crescent driven member integral with the transmitting member, and a return pulley. The transmitting member, the crescent driven member, and the return pulley are successively arranged in this order from the proximal end of the medical manipulator. When the driven wire is moved in opposite directions, the transmitting member also moves in opposite directions. At this time, the crescent driven member moves toward the return pulley, and the proximal-end portion of the return pulley enters a cavity of the crescent driven member. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198254 | VASCULAR CLOSURE DEVICE - A device for closure of an opening formed through a wall of a body vessel of a patient is provided, as well as an introducer system for delivery of the closure device. Various embodiments include the closure device having hook members configured to engage the tissue interior of the body vessel wall, hook members configured to engage interstitial tissue adjacent to the body vessel, a plug member to contact sealably the opening from inside the body vessel, and combinations thereof. A retraction member is removably attached to the each of the embodiments to permit manipulation of the device. Remodelable material may be included with each of the embodiments to promote quicker healing. The introducer includes a sheath that is insertable through the opening and a pusher disposed within the lumen of the sheath and movable within the sheath lumen to deploy the device. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198255 | SPRAY HEAD, AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR APPLYING BIOLOGICAL TISSUE ADHESIVE - A spray head ( | 2010-08-05 |
20100198256 | Hyper-Elastic Needle - A method of arranging a surgical needle in an applicator. The needle is made of a hyper-elastic alloy which, after treatment, has two distinct states and includes a crimping zone for securing a suture to the needle, a free end having a tapered point which includes an inclined heel portion arranged on an inside portion of a curved profile. The method includes forcing the needle into a roughly elongated position when the needle is housed in an internal bore of the applicator. When the needle is not housed in an internal bore of the applicator, the needle adopts a curved profile as a result of superelasticity or hyper-elasticity of the needle. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198257 | Bioactive Substance in a Barbed Suture - Barbed surgical sutures are provided which include an elongated body and a plurality of barbs extending therefrom. A bioactive agent is disposed within barb angles formed between the barbs and the elongated body. The barbs may be made from a shape memory polymer having a permanent shape which may be deformed to a temporary shape, such that barbs of the suture extend at different barb angles in the different shape configurations. The barb angles of the permanent shape may be greater than the barb angles of the temporary shape, thereby exposing and/or releasing a bioactive agent after placement in tissue. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198258 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING SOFT TISSUE TO BONE - Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A bone anchor is described that comprises an anchor body with expandable tines and a spreader that expands the tines into bone. Also disclosed is a bone anchor that comprises a base and a top such that suture material may be attached to apertures in the anchor top or else compressed between surfaces on the base and top to secure the suture to the anchor. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the bone anchor into bone and move the spreader relative to the anchor body attach suture material. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the bone anchor into bone and move the anchor top relative to the anchor body or anchor base to attach to or clamp suture material there between. Methods are described that allow use of single bone anchor to secure tissue to bone or also to use more than one bone anchor to provide multiple lengths of suture material to compress a large area of soft tissue against bone. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198259 | Crosslink Interconnection of Bone Attachment Devices - An apparatus comprises a pair of bone attachment devices and a crosslink device for a spinal fixation system or other implant arrangement. The bone attachment devices include a head with socket to receive a spinal rod or other elongate element and the crosslink device includes a pair of bridging members each having an end section for connecting with the bone attachment devices. An interconnection device situated between the bridging members receives the bridging members and allows translational and rotational freedom therebetween while being operable to secure the bridging members in position relative to one another. A pair of engaging members are structured to engage the head of the respective bone attachment device and bear against the respective adjacent end of crosslink device to lock the crosslink and the bone attachment device in a rigid construct are also included. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198260 | OUTRIGGER - The present invention relates to an outrigger for securing a longitudinal spinal rod, preferably a horizontally offset spinal rod, with respect to a bone anchor. The outrigger may include a housing having a first throughbore to receive the bone anchor and a second throughbore to receive the spinal rod, a cam for surrounding the bone anchor, the cam being disposed within the first throughbore, and a collet having a passage for surrounding the spinal rod, the collet being disposed within the second throughbore. The cam may be moveable from a first position to a second position such that, in the first position, the spinal rod and bone anchor are free to move with respect to the housing and in the second position, the spinal rod and collet are secured with respect to the housing. The collet may be moveable between a first configuration to a second configuration such that movement of the cam from the first position to the second position causes the collet to move from the first configuration to the second configuration. The cam preferably may move into contact with the collet when the cam is moved into the second position. The collet preferably may be compressible into the second configuration. The cam may also include an intermediate position wherein in the intermediate position, the spinal rod is free to translate with respect to the housing but is prevented from articulating with respect thereto. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198261 | ADJUSTABLE SPINAL STABILIZATION SYSTEMS - A spinal stabilization system includes a stabilization member with opposite end portions lying along a longitudinal axis and an adjustment mechanism between the end portions that allows the end portions to be moved toward and away from one another along the longitudinal axis. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198262 | AXIAL OFFSET BONE FASTENER SYSTEM - A bone fastener assembly and a method of stabilizing a bone using such an assembly are presented. The bone assembly includes a bone fastener and a connecting member for holding a stabilizing member, such as a rod or plate, mounted together via an armature that allows the connecting member to be offset from the longitudinal axis of the bone fastener and optionally also permits the bone fastener to pivot relative to a longitudinal axis of the assembly and the connecting member swivel about the longitudinal axis of the assembly. By allowing the connecting member to be offset and independently swivel about the longitudinal axis of the fastener, the bone assembly of the current invention allows for an unprecedented degree of freedom in positioning an interconnecting rod to that assembly. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198263 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SPINOUS PROCESS DISTRACTION - An implant for maintaining a given minimum inter-spinous-process spacing includes an implant body with a number of segments hingedly interconnected so as to assume a straightened state for delivery along a conduit and a curved deployed state. An elongated tightening element is anchored at the distal segment of the implant body and passes along a channel extending along the implant body. Tension applied to the tightening element biases the implant body from the straightened state to the curved deployed state. Preferably, when the tightening element is deflected to reach the curved deployed state, a locking arrangement locks the tightening element relative to the implant body, thereby retaining the implant in the curved deployed state. A distal portion of the implant body is preferably formed with a set of lateral projections to inhibit withdrawal of the distal portion between adjacent spinous processes after deployment. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198264 | APPARATUS FOR BRACING VERTEBRAE - An apparatus for bracing a plurality of vertebrae of the human spine has at least two pedicle screws, each having an annular head with an opening therewithin and including a slot therewithin. Each slot extends into the corresponding opening and includes internal threaded portions. A securing screw to be screwed in each slot is provided. A relatively stiff threaded rod is also provided and is to be inserted into the opening in the head of each of the pedicle screws and to be secured by the securing screws. Adjusting nuts are screwed on the rod and at least one cooperates with each head. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198265 | System, Devices and method for augmenting existing fusion constructs - One technique of the present application includes: evaluating a patient having a previously implanted spinal construct and corresponding spinal fusion from an earlier procedure and determining a spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion is degenerating after completion of the earlier procedure. After this determination, the previously implanted spinal construct is augmented by attaching a flexible polymer elongated member to the spinal segment adjacent to the spinal fusion with a bone fastener and by coupling the flexible polymer elongated member to one or more elements of the previously implanted spinal construct. In one form, the elongated member is at least partially comprised of polyetheretherketone. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198266 | Biplanar Fracture Fixation - An osteosynthesis device is provided. The device includes a first portion and a second portion coupled to the first portion. The first portion is positioned substantially along a first plane and is configurable to fit a first bone surface. The second portion is positioned substantially along a second plane that is different from the first plane and is configurable to fit a second bone surface. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198267 | Method and apparatus for minimally invasive treatment of unstable pelvic ring injuries - The instant invention is a novel method for construct for temporary or definitive pelvic stabilization. The method uses the already established principles of anterior external fixation combined with internal hardware placed in a minimally invasive fashion. Fixation means are affixed to the ilia in the supra-acetabular position and a rigid, subcutaneous anteriorly bowed elongated plate is connected between the fixation means. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198268 | LOW PROFILE BONE SCREW EXTENDER AND ITS APPLICATION IN MINIMUM INVASIVE SPINAL SURGERIES - A tissue extender includes a ring defining a proximal end opening to engage a head of a subcutaneous screw, a first extender portion coupled to the ring at a proximal end of the first extender portion, and a second extender portion coupled to the ring at a proximal end of the second extender portion. The first extender portion includes a first coupling portion disposed at a distal end of the first extender portion, and the second extender portion includes a second coupling portion at a distal end of the second extender portion. The first and second extender portions define two side openings disposed on opposite sides of the tissue extender. The distal ends of the first and second extender portions together define a distal end opening. The first coupling portion engages the second coupling portion when the tissue extender is in an extended state. The distal end opening is larger in the extended state than in an unextended state. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198269 | Spinal Implants with Multi-Axial Anchor Assembly and Methods - System and methods are provided that include a plate member engageable to the spinal column with an anchor assembly. The anchor assembly includes a coupling member having a post extending through at least one opening of the plate member and an anchor member pivotally captured in a receiver member of the coupling member below a lower surface of the plate member. A locking member secures the plate member to the coupling member. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198270 | Multi-Axial Bone Screw Assembly - A bottom-loading multi-axial bone anchor apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver member, a crown member, a bone anchor and a retaining member. The receiver member defines an upper opening and a lower opening, which may form part of the same opening, a channel, and a groove. The crown member and bone anchor are loaded into the lower opening of the receiver member, and the retaining member fits around the bone anchor and into the groove in the receiver member. The bone anchor is capable of multi-axial positioning with respect to the receiver member. An elongated member is placed in the channel of the receiver member, contacting the crown member, and a compression member is applied via the upper opening. The compression member presses down on the elongated member, which presses down on the crown member and locks the bone anchor between the crown member and the retaining member. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198271 | Screw Sheath for Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery and Method Relating Thereto - A screw sheath is provided for advancing a pedicle screw from outside a patient to the vertebra during minimally invasive spinal surgery. The sheath includes an elongate tubular construct having an open proximal end, a tapered distal tip with an open end. The conical tip can be deformed or reconfigured when subject to the axial force of the pedicle screw being advanced into the pedicle or by manual operation of the operator. The pedicle screw is advanced through the sheath to the pedicle and retained by the tip of the sheath. Then a driver is used to advance the screw through the sheath and into the vertebra. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198272 | POLYAXIAL BONE FIXATION ELEMENT - The present invention is directed a polyaxial bone fixation element for use in spinal fixation to interconnect a longitudinal spinal rod with a patient's vertebra. The polyaxial bone fixation element preferably includes a bone anchor, a collet, a body, and a locking cap. The polyaxial bone fixation element preferably enables in-situ assembly. That is, the polyaxial bone fixation element is preferably configured so that in use, the bone anchor may be secured to the patient's vertebra prior to being received within the body. Accordingly, the polyaxial bone fixation element enables a surgeon to implant the bone anchor without the body to maximize visibility and access around the anchoring site. Once the bone anchor has been secured to the patient's vertebra, the body can be snapped-onto the bone anchor. The bone anchor preferably also includes a second tool interface so that a surgical instrument can be directly coupled to the bone anchor. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198273 | ADJUSTABLE BONE SCREW ASSEMBLY - A bone screw assembly includes a screw body, including anchor portion and rod-receiving portion, and a rod seat movably mounted in the screw body to allow for controlled angulation between a spinal connection element disposed in the rod seat and the screw body. The rod seat is pivotable in one or more selected directions about one or more axes relative to the screw body. The rod seat may include a first lower rod seat element disposed in a recess of the screw body having a cylindrical bottom surface to facilitate pivoting in a first direction. A second lower rod seat element is stacked on the first lower rod seat element and has a conical bottom surface abutting a top surface of the first lower rod seat element to facilitate pivoting in a second direction. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198274 | Intervertebral disc inserting device - With limited nutrients within the avascular disc, the water-retaining proteoglycans begin to diminish, resulting in dehydration, flattening and/or bulging of the disc. The flattened disc causes segmental instability, eroding the facet joints and causing pain. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198275 | FORCE SENSING DISTAL FEMORAL ALIGNMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE - Devices, systems, and methods are provided for facilitating the aligning and balancing of the knee during total knee replacement surgery. A femoral assembly is engaged with a distal femur. The positions of medial and lateral portions of the femoral assembly relative to a stationary portion of the femoral assembly can be separately adjusted to adjust the alignment of the knee. A force sensor will be provided to sense the forces in the medial and lateral portions of the knee, and the medial and lateral portions of the femoral assemblies will be adjusted so that the sensed forces are balanced. The alignment of the knee is visually verified using a knee alignment verification member coupled to the femoral assembly. The knee alignment verification member may emit laser beams along the mechanical axes of the femur and tibia, or the knee alignment verification member may couple to alignment rods aligned along these axes. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198276 | FASTENER ASSEMBLY - An improved fastener apparatus includes an outer sleeve which is moved into a patient's body tissue. A distal end portion of the outer sleeve is expanded in the patient's body tissue. An inner sleeve is moved axially through the outer sleeve and a distal end of the inner sleeve is expanded in the patient's body tissue. The fastener apparatus may be provided with an external thread convolution on either or both of the inner and outer sleeves. During expansion of the distal end portion of either the inner or outer sleeve, a proximal end portion of the outer sleeve may be gripped and pulled to offset forces applied to the distal end portion of one of the sleeves. Although inner and outer sleeves may advantageously be utilized, the fastener apparatus may be constructed with only a single sleeve or three or more sleeves if desired. A secondary fastener assembly may be moved through a main fastener assembly. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198277 | PERCUTANEOUS TECHNIQUE AND IMPLANT FOR EXPANDING THE SPINAL CANAL - The present invention expands a spinal canal by drilling a cylindrical passage in each pedicle of a vertebra, making a circumferential pedicle cut (osteotomy) through each pedicle from within the passage, separating each pedicle cut by inserting an implant into the passage which distracts the pedicle cut to expand the spinal canal, and securing each pedicle cut, allowing the vertebra to heal with the spinal canal expanded. The implant includes an outer sleeve, an inner bolt, and expandable flanges. The outer sleeve includes an upper portion and a lower portion, with the expandable flanges connected to the lower portion and housed within the upper portion. Rotation of the inner bolt causes the upper and lower portions of the outer sleeve to separate, causing the pedicle cut to widen and the expandable flanges to radially extend into and stabilize the widened pedicle cut to effectuate expansion of the spinal canal. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198278 | COMPOSITE ANTIMICROBIAL ACCESSORY INCLUDING A MEMBRANE LAYER AND A POROUS LAYER - An antimicrobial accessory may include a membrane layer defining a major surface comprising a first lateral portion, a second lateral portion, and a third lateral portion. The membrane layer may comprise a first biodegradable polymer. The antimicrobial accessory may further include a first porous layer overlying the first lateral portion and a second porous layer overlying the second lateral portion. The first porous layer comprises a second biodegradable polymer and a first antimicrobial, while the second porous layer comprises a third biodegradable polymer and a second antimicrobial. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198279 | TRANSCEIVER DUTY CYCLED OPERATIONAL MODE - A device, such as an IMD, operating in accordance with the techniques of this disclosure detects a telemetry configuration event and, in response to the telemetry configuration event, configures a telemetry module of the IMD to operate in a duty cycled operational mode. The duty cycled operational mode includes a plurality of intervals during which a transceiver of the telemetry module is powered down interleaved with intervals during which the transceiver is powered up, e.g., for transmitting or receiving communications over an established communication session. The power freed up during the intervals in which the transceiver is powered down may be allocated for use by other components of the IMD. The telemetry module maintains information regarding the established communication session during the plurality of intervals during which the transceiver is powered down such that transmit and receive operations may immediately begin during intervals in which the transceiver is powered up. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198280 | TRANSCEIVER DUTY CYCLED OPERATIONAL MODE - This disclosure describes an operational mode of a telemetry module. A device, such as a programming device, operating in accordance with the techniques of this disclosure determines that a transceiver of an implantable medical device is operating in a duty cycled operational mode that includes at least one interval during which the transceiver is powered down interleaved with intervals during which the transceiver is powered up, e.g., for transmitting or receiving communications over an established communication session. The programming device is configured to transmit information during the at least one interval in which the transceiver of the implantable medical device is powered down. Doing so ensures that the channel over which the programmer and implantable medical device communicate will not be usurped by another device. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198281 | METHODS FOR TREATING DISORDERS OF PERCEPTUAL INTEGRATION BY BRAIN MODULATION - A method for brain modulation includes modulating a predetermined site in the brain in order to treat tinnitus and other phantom perceptions, including hallucinations and the perceived compulsion to take an action. Modulation may be performed electrically, chemically, in combination, or by other techniques. The method may involve surgically implanting a medical lead at a predetermined site, and coupling the lead to an electrical signal generator or source of drugs or other chemicals. Alternatively, a predetermined site may be modulated by means of noninvasive electrical modulation such as electromagnetic induction, or other means such as by creating lesions with methods such as heating, freezing, or radiation treatment, or by virus-mediated cell destruction or functional inactivation. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198282 | DEVICES FOR VESTIBULAR OR CRANIAL NERVE STIMULATION - A nerve tissue stimulator configured for contacting to or insertion in the body of a subject to stimulate a tissue therein, said probe comprising: (a) a support configured for contacting to or positioning adjacent a tissue of said subject; (b) at least one thermoelectric device (TED) on said support and positioned for thermally stimulating said nerve tissue. | 2010-08-05 |
20100198283 | Automatic Orientation Determination for ECG Measurements Using Multiple Electrodes - Cardiac monitoring and/or stimulation methods and systems provide monitoring, defibrillation and/or pacing therapies. A signal processor receives a plurality of composite signals associated with a plurality of sources, separates a signal using a source separation algorithm, and identifies a cardiac signal using a selected vector. The signal processor may iteratively separate signals from the plurality of composite signals until the cardiac signal is identified. The selected vector may be updated if desired or necessary. A method of signal separation involves detecting a plurality of composite signals at a plurality of locations, separating a signal using source separation, and selecting a vector that provides a cardiac signal. The separation may include a principal component analysis and/or an independent component analysis. Vectors may be selected and updated based on changes of position and/or orientation of implanted components and changes in patient parameters such as patient condition, cardiac signal-to-noise ratio, and disease progression. | 2010-08-05 |