| 35th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 42 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20110213369 | KERRISON RONGEURS - A Kerrison rongeur employing a shearing/cutting or grasping mechanism, and suited for specific cutting and sampling bone, cartilage and soft tissue. A slideable upper member has on its advancing face a cutting element that moves past an opposing cutting element on a stationary footplate to produce a shearing action of tissue positioned within the jaws. The cutting element of the slideable member may move past the stationary member on the outside in an overbite situation or on the inside in an underbite situation. A hybrid over/underbite jaw is also contemplated along with a guillotine cutting element and a textured grasping element. In operation, the tissue is placed between the jaw and footplate, and the former is advanced towards the latter to cut and/or grasp and remove for a surgical site. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213370 | SURGICAL CHISEL - A chisel includes a hammered portion to be hammered which is provided so as to project from a middle or an end of a handle and extend to pass through a portion on an extended line in the direction opposite to the direction of the blade. Even if the chisel is hammered in a state where a tip of the blade thereof is not inserted into a bone, the chisel easily advances in the direction of the blade, thereby reducing a possibility that the blade slides on a surface of the bone. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213371 | RECIPROCATING RASPS FOR USE IN AN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGICAL PROCEDURE - Reciprocating rasps for the surgical preparation of the bone prior to the implantation of a glenoid or acetabular component with complex geometry are disclosed. Surgical methods for the use of such reciprocating rasps are also disclosed. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213372 | RECIPROCATING RASPS FOR USE IN AN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGICAL PROCEDURE - Reciprocating rasps for the surgical preparation of the bone prior to the implantation of a glenoid or acetabular component with complex geometry are disclosed. Surgical methods for the use of such reciprocating rasps are also disclosed. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213373 | Patient Selectable Joint Arthroplasty Devices and Surgical Tools - Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213374 | Patient Selectable Joint Arthroplasty Devices and Surgical Tools - Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213375 | Tibial Resurfacing System and Method - An implant resection system for preparing an implant site to replace a defect in an articular surface of a first bone includes a guide configured to be coupled generally perpendicular to the first bone proximate to the defect. The guide includes a body portion defining a plurality of excision passageways. The excision passageways each define a generally cylindrical core pathway configured to extend generally perpendicular to the first bone which partially overlaps with an adjacent generally cylindrical core pathway. A projection associated with each of the plurality of the generally cylindrical core pathways defines a truncated cylindrical excision site extending through a portion of the articular surface. Each truncated cylindrical excision site partially overlaps with at least one adjacent truncated cylindrical excision site. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213376 | Patient-Specific Osteotomy Devices and Methods - An osteotomy method includes attaching a patient-specific osteotomy guide to a corresponding surface of a tibia of a patient and making an osteotomy at a patient-specific orientation through a resection slot of the osteotomy guide. The osteotomy guide is removed and first and second faces of the osteotomy are opened to form an implant insertion angle. The first and second faces of the osteotomy are secured at the implant insertion angle and an osteotomy implant having a patient-specific wedge angle that is smaller than the implant insertion angle is implanted. The first and second faces of the osteotomy are brought to the patient-specific wedge angle and in contact with the osteotomy implant. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213377 | Patient Selectable Joint Arthroplasty Devices and Surgical Tools - Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213378 | DISTAL FEMORAL TRIAL WITH REMOVABLE CUTTING GUIDE - Various embodiment of the present invention provide a distal femoral trial that allows a surgeon to cut the central box geometry of a distal femur using an implant-shaped trial. The trial includes a cutting guide that is removable from the trial and adjustable with respect to the trial. The guide is intended to control the depth and direction of the cutting instruments used to prepare the femur for the a posterior stabilized implant. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213379 | COMPUTER ASSISTED SURGERY SYSTEM - A computer assisted surgery system and a method for operating a computer assisted surgery system is described therein. The system and method includes providing a virtual representation of a medical device to provide an easier application of a medical device, such as an implant or the like. The described system and method allows for simple and fast positioning of a medical device to be applied, such as an implant, for example. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213380 | INTRAOCULAR LENS INJECTION DEVICE IN WHICH INTRAOCULAR LENS IS PRELOADED - Disclosed herein is a disposable intraocular lens injection device, in which a receiving portion which is sealed after an intraocular lens is placed in an unfolded state therein, a cylinder including an injection guide disposed in front of the receiving portion and allowing the unfolded intraocular lens to be provided to a patient in a rolled state, and a plunger slidably disposed in the cylinder and injecting the intraocular lens in the receiving portion through the injection guide are packaged together with the injector device such that, since the intraocular lens is preloaded in the injection device, the difficulty for an operator to load the intraocular lens in the injection device during operation is overcome, thus making rapid progress while preventing bacteria infection during the operation. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213381 | Surgical Extractor - A surgical extractor for removing objects from a body including, for example, calculi, such as kidney stones and gall stones. The extractor includes a handle at a proximal end with a slider for operation by a physician. At the distal end, the extractor includes a plurality of wires with each wire comprising a first portion having an individual strand and a second portion comprising a plurality of filaments. When a retaining sheath is retracted, the wires, formed of a shape memory material such as stainless steel, expand such that each of the strands assume a spaced relationship to define a first section of a basket and the plurality of the filaments assume a spaced relationship to define a second section of the basket. The use of a basket formed by wires having a first section comprising an individual strand and a second section comprising the plurality of filaments promotes capture of objects within the body by having widely spaced wires in the first section, retention of such objects in the second section by multiplying the number of contacts with entrapped object, and improved selective release of such objects without any deleterious effect on the reliability or size of the extractor. Additionally, use of the basket enables improved dislodgment and capture of embedded or impacted objects. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213382 | DEVICE FOR CRANIAL IMPLANTATION, AND SYSTEM AND USE THEREOF - A device for cranial implantation, comprising a ferrule and a plate for placement in the ferrule is provided. Furthermore, a neurological implant system comprising a probe and a device for cranial implantation is provided. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213383 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COUPLING MECHANISM - A medical system and surgical instrument adapter are provided. The medical system comprises a surgical instrument carrying a distal tool configured for performing a medical procedure on a patient, an adapter having a clam-shell configuration configured for removably receiving a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and a drive unit configured for being coupled to the adapter to control the movement of the surgical instrument within at least one degree-of-freedom. The surgical instrument adapter may comprise a base portion configured for receiving a proximal end of the surgical instrument, and a clam-shell that pivots relative to the base portion between a first position that encloses the proximal end of the surgical instrument within the base portion and a second position that allows the proximal end of the surgical instrument to be removed from the base portion. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213384 | SURGICAL ROBOT SYSTEM HAVING TOOL FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY - The present invention relates to a surgical robot system having a tool for minimally invasive surgery. More specifically, the present invention relates to a surgical robot system that helps a user such as a surgeon control the tool for minimally invasive surgery in a dexterous and convenient manner. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213385 | DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GASTRIC REDUCTION - A delivery catheter for a gastric reduction system includes an elongate torqueable tube, a needle translatably disposed within the torqueable tube, an anchor translatably disposed within the needle and a stabilization device for holding a distal tip of the torqueable tube against a tissue wall. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213386 | OPHTHALMIC WOUND CLOSURE DEVICES AND METHODS - A method and device for wound closure is provided. One advantage of wound closure devices and methods shown includes a simple and inexpensive modified suture with increased pullout resistance to close wounds in eyes and prevent leakage. Another advantage includes a visualization tool to aid in locating the wound on the eye. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213387 | Minimally Invasive Valve Repair Procedure and Apparatus - An apparatus for minimally invasive valve repair includes first and second needles, first and second flexible members, a clip, and first and second release mechanisms. The needles are each releasably connected to one of the opposing end points of the clip through a corresponding one of the flexible members via a corresponding one of the release mechanisms. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213389 | DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS FOR SECURING A TISSUE FOLD - The present invention relates to devices and methods for creating and securing a tissue fold during an endoluminal medical procedure. The devices and methods may be used for folding and securing, for example, a fundus wall onto an esophagus wall. An aspect of the invention includes a two-piece tissue clip configured to be installed through an endoluminal device to secure a tissue fold. The clip includes a female member and a male member configured to engage one another to secure the tissue fold. Another aspect of the invention includes a clipping device comprising a tissue clip magazine. The magazine is configured to hold a plurality of tissue clips and install the plurality of tissue clips in a single actuation of the magazine. A method for using the clipping device together with the tissue clips of the present invention to create and secure a fold of tissue during an endoluminal procedure also is disclosed. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213390 | TRANSORAL ENDOSCOPIC GASTROESOPHAGEAL FLAP VALVE RESTORATION DEVICE, ASSEMBLY, SYSTEM AND METHOD - The invention provides a device, assembly, and method for transoral endoscopic restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve. The invention also provides a self-steering and self-closing tissue fixation device for tissue fixation, and an invaginator device for gripping and maneuvering tissue. The restoration device includes a longitudinal member arranged for transoral placement into a stomach, a tissue shaper carried on the longitudinal member that causes stomach tissue to assume a shape related to a gastroesophageal flap, and a tissue fixation device that maintains the shaped stomach tissue in a shape approximating a gastroesophageal flap. The tissue shaper may include a mold. The device may include the invaginator device for gripping and maneuvering esophageal tissue to aid restoration of the gastroesophageal flap, and may include the tissue fixation device. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213391 | ROTATIONAL ATHERECTOMY DEVICE WITH ELECTRIC MOTOR - An atherectomy device is disclosed, which is rotationally driven by an electric motor. In some designs, the device includes features unavailable on gas turbine-driven systems, such as the storing in memory of low/medium/high preset rotation speeds for particular models of handle, calculations of the amount of saline left in the IV and associated warnings when it gets sufficiently low, and automatic adjustment of the IV pump rate to a predetermined or calculated level when the rotational speed of the motor is changed. The electric motor has far more rotational inertia than a comparable gas turbine, so the system includes a control mechanism that helps prevent damage from excessive torque being applied to the distal end of the drive shaft. When an obstruction at the distal end is detected, by a drop in the motor rotational speed, the motor is released and is allowed to spin freely as a flywheel. The freely-spinning motor allows the large angular momentum of the system to dissipate rapidly and safely, without excessive torque to the drive shaft. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213392 | Systems and Methods for Removing Undesirable Material Within a Circulatory System - A system for removing undesirable material from vessels and from chambers within the heart is provided. The system includes a suction cannula for removing the undesirable material from a site of interest within a patient. A filter device may be provided for capturing the undesirable material and removing it from the fluid flow. The system also includes pump for generating the necessary suction force through the suction cannula to dislodge the undesirable material from the site of interest and for generating a sufficient driving force to direct the fluid flow downstream within the system. The system further includes a reinfusion cannula for introducing fluid removed from the site of interest back into a patient. A method for removing undesirable material from vessels and from heart chambers is also provided. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213393 | Systems and Methods for Removing Undesirable Material Within a Circulatory System Utilizing a Balloon Catheter - A system for removing an undesirable material from within a vessel is provided. The system includes a cannula designed for maneuvering within a blood vessel to a site of interest and applying a suction force, such that the undesirable material can be captured and removed along the cannula away from the site. The system also may include a catheter having a balloon at its distal end. The balloon may be designed to be positioned adjacent to the undesirable material such that the undesirable material is situated between the balloon and the cannula. The catheter may also be designed to subsequently impart a force onto the undesirable material for removal of the undesirable material. A method for removing an undesirable material from within a vessel is also provided. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213394 | Pigmentary glaucoma iris scraping treatment method and the iris T aluminum scraping scalpel tool - An iris scraping surgical method and tool to treat pigmentary glaucoma by making an incision in the sclera, lifting the iris and scraping away the pigment and debris attached to the backside of the iris thereby relieving the pressure buildup caused by the pigment blocking fluid flow between the iris and the lens and allowing the fluid to flow, and closing the sclera. The tool comprises a pointed sharp tipped double edged flat blade and handle surgical tool two opposing dull non cutting scraping blade edges extending back from the front tip, the entire aluminum handle and aluminum blade including the tip, and scraping blade edges having a durable plastic coating to withstand operating conditions and all forms of sterilization procedures. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213395 | HANDHELD DEVICE WITH THERMAL PADDING - A handheld device comprises a housing, a motor, and a thermally conductive pad disposed in a space between the motor and the housing. Heat generated by the motor can be conducted by the thermal pad to the housing or to an internal fluid passage generally extending the length of the motor. In some embodiments, the thermal pad is configured to maintain the temperature of the housing in accordance with industry guidelines. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213396 | EXCISION DEVICE AND AIR-BUBBLE DETECTING METHOD - An excision device configured to excise living tissue by ejecting liquid includes: a supplying unit configured to supply liquid to be ejected; a chamber configured to be filled with the supplied liquid; an ejection nozzle connected to the chamber; a drive member configured to be deformed in the direction to reduce the volume of the chamber when a drive voltage is applied more than a case where the drive voltage is not applied; a liquid ejecting unit configured to eject the liquid in the chamber in a pulsed manner from the ejection nozzle by applying the drive voltage to the drive member in a state in which the chamber is filled with the supplied liquid; and an air-bubble detecting unit configured to detect air bubbles in the chamber by detecting an electric current flowing in the drive member when the drive voltage is applied to the drive member. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213397 | Frequency Shifting Multi Mode Ultrasonic Dissector - An ultrasonic surgical dissection system and method that employs an ultrasonic waveform that provides improved dissection of tissue while simultaneously providing improved hemostasis is disclosed. The disclosed system provides an ultrasonic waveform that includes a carrier frequency that may be pulse modulated at a predetermined rate and/or duty cycle. Embodiments are presented wherein the disclosed system provides an ultrasonic waveform having a frequency modulated carrier frequency. Additionally or alternatively, the disclosed waveform may be amplitude modulated. In yet another embodiment, an amplitude modulation of the ultrasonic signal may be synchronized, at least in part, with a frequency modulation of the ultrasonic signal. The frequency modulation and/or amplitude modulation may include continuously variable modulations and/or substantially instantaneous transitions between a first frequency and a second frequency and/or a first amplitude and a second amplitude. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213398 | Systems and Methods for Removal of Intravascular Leads - Systems and methods for extraction of implanted articles are disclosed. According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a system for extraction of an implanted article that includes an elongated member, guide member disposed at a distal section of the elongated member and having a pathway in substantially parallel relationship to the elongated member, through which pathway an implanted article can be accommodated, and a cutting mechanism, situated between the distal section of the elongated member and the guide member, for severing a fibrous adhesion about the implanted article to allow the implanted article to be extracted. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213399 | PASSAGE EXPANSION DEVICE FOR PATIENTS - A method for opening a portion of a passageway of a patient is disclosed. The patient has a first metallic structure attached to a portion of the patient's neck. The method includes obtaining a second magnetic structure, placing the second magnetic structure proximate the first metallic structure attached to the portion of the patient's neck, and pulling the second magnetic structure away from the patient's neck to thereby open the passageway. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213400 | Process for Generating Microwalled Encapsulation Balloons - A method and product thereby for generating a biocompatible balloon, comprising, in combination: compressing with a first die at least two porous membranes enclosed by a releasing agent between the first die and each of the at least porous membranes, wherein the releasing agent has a melting point above that of the porous membranes; heating the porous membranes to a temperature between the melting point of the porous membranes and the melting point of the releasing agent; and removing the first die; whereby the releasing agent provides support to the porous membranes by cohesive forces between the releasing agent and the porous membranes, such that the porous membranes maintain, after the compressing with the first die, a form defined by the compressing with the first die. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213401 | METHODS FOR CONFIGURING EXPANDABLE DEVICES - The present invention pertains to a stiffened balloon which can be used in angioplasty, endovascular, and valvuloplasty procedures or as a delivery balloon to deliver a stent or a stent-graft. Longitudinally discontinuous stiffening members connected to the expandable balloon stiffen the balloon but allow it to be navigated through curved passages. Projections on the stiffening members may engage, incise, crush, fracture, or pierce occlusions or retain a stent or stent-graft. Radio-opaque portions may be referenced to determine orientation. Longitudinally continuous stiffening members bearing projections and connected to the balloon perform in a similar manner. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213402 | LOW-COMPLIANCE EXPANDABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An apparatus includes an elongate body and an expandable member coupled to the elongate body. In one embodiment, the expandable member has a collapsed configuration, an unfolded configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable member is configured to be percutaneously inserted into an interior portion of a bone structure when the expandable member is in the collapsed configuration. The expandable member is configured to exert a pressure in a vertical direction on a first portion of the bone structure in contact with the expandable member greater than a pressure exerted in a lateral direction on a second portion of the bone structure in contact with the expandable member when the expandable member transitions from the unfolded configuration to the expanded configuration. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213403 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR VASCULAR RECANALIZATION - In some embodiments, a medical device for recanalizing a vessel having a blockage and restoring blood flow through an obstructed blood vessel includes an expandable member coupled to a core wire and a hypotube that are movable relative to each other to manipulate the expandable member between various configurations. The expandable member having a capture structure in an expanded configuration. The expandable member can include multiple interstices formed by woven mesh filaments or braided strands through which the material blocking the vessel can pass. The capture structure can include a shape on its external surface that facilitates dislodgement and capture of the material within capture spaces created by the expandable member. Some embodiments include a capture sack or cap for capturing material and preventing material from migrating down stream of the blockage. Superoxygenated blood can be infused distal to the blockage to minimize loss of function during an ischemic event. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213404 | BLOOD FILTER - A filter unit ( | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213405 | VASO-OCCLUSIVE DEVICES WITH ATTACHED POLYMER STRUCTURES - Disclosed herein are vaso-occlusive devices for forming occluding the vasculature of a patient. More particularly, disclosed herein are vaso-occlusive devices comprising at least one polymer structure and methods of making and using these devices. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213406 | ANCHOR ASSEMBLIES IN STRETCH-RESISTANT VASO-OCCLUSIVE COILS - Vaso-occlusive devices are provided for occluding an aneurysm within the human vasculature. The vaso-occlusive device also includes a stretch-resisting member that extends through at least a portion of a lumen of the primary coil and is directly or indirectly attached to the primary coil at two locations axially separated from each other to prevent or minimize axial stretching of the primary coil. At one location, the stretch-resisting member is coupled to the primary coil via a flexible anchor assembly disposed within the lumen. In one embodiment, the anchor assembly may comprise an anchor coil and a link directly or indirectly coupled between the anchor coil and the stretch-resisting member. Alternatively, the anchor assembly may comprise a chain of twisted links. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213407 | Embolectomy Cathether - The device subject of this disclosure is a catheter conveying inflatable components that control the opening and closing of a net component. The catheter is maneuvered through the tortuous and stenotic cerebral circulatory system to an embolism. The positioning of the catheter may be guided by radio opaque markers. The inflatable component carrying the net is placed into the embolism. The balloons are inflated thereby expanding the net into the embolism. The limit of expansion is controlled by the dimensions of the net. As the net expands, fenestrations or the spacing of a wire mesh comprising the net enlarge, thereby allowing the embolism to become entrapped within the net. The balloons are deflated thereby enclosing the embolism within the net. The device can be retract into a guide catheter and withdrawn from the circulatory system. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213408 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR CONTROL OF BLOOD PRESSURE - Apparatus is provided for reducing hypertension of a subject. A selective circumferential pressure applicator ( | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213409 | MEDICAL INSTRUMENT - A medical instrument with a shaft, a handle positioned on the proximal end of the shaft, a tool positioned on the distal end of the shaft with two jaw members that can be displaced between an open and a closed position, and with an actuating element by which the handle and tool are in active connection with one another and where each jaw member of the tool consists of an inner cheek and an outer cheek, which are connected with one another on the distal end of each jaw member and are distanced from one another in the proximal direction, and at least one connecting brace is positioned between the inner cheek and the outer cheek. The medical instrument has jaw members, while preserving flexibility, have an increased dimensional stability, in particular with respect to torsion impact. The inner cheek and the outer cheek of each jaw member is configured differently with respect to the shape of their cross-section, with the inner cheek configured as wider than the outer cheek and with the inner cheek of each jaw member having rounded or stepped configuration. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213410 | METHOD FOR VESSEL ACCESS CLOSURE - Embodiments are described for closing vascular access ports, such as arteriotomies, which involve placement and deployment of an expandable device configured to prevent blood flow across a subject arteriotomy while also keeping disturbance of intravascular flow to a minimum. Suitable prostheses may comprise one or more frames constructed from lengths of flexible materials, such as shape memory alloys or polymers. Such frames may be coupled to sheetlike or tube-like structures configured to spread loads, minimize thrombosis which may be related to intravascular flow, and maintain hemostasis. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213411 | METHOD FOR VESSEL ACCESS CLOSURE - Embodiments are described for closing vascular access ports, such as arteriotomies, which involve placement and deployment of an expandable device configured to prevent blood flow across a subject arteriotomy while also keeping disturbance of intravascular flow to a minimum. Suitable prostheses may comprise one or more frames constructed from lengths of flexible materials, such as shape memory alloys or polymers. Such frames may be coupled to sheetlike or tube-like structures configured to spread loads, minimize thrombosis which may be related to intravascular flow, and maintain hemostasis. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213412 | APPARATUS FOR VESSEL ACCESS CLOSURE - Embodiments are described for closing vascular access ports, such as arteriotomies, which involve placement and deployment of an expandable device configured to prevent blood flow across a subject arteriotomy while also keeping disturbance of intravascular flow to a minimum. Suitable prostheses may comprise one or more frames constructed from lengths of flexible materials, such as shape memory alloys or polymers. Such frames may be coupled to sheetlike or tube-like structures configured to spread loads, minimize thrombosis which may be related to intravascular flow, and maintain hemostasis. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213413 | ANEURYSM SENSING DEVICES AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS - A system for gaining access to an interventional site within vasculature through a vessel wall or other structure such as that of a medical device. An apparatus is provided to accomplish a sealed worksite as are sensor delivery systems including sealable sensor devices that are adapted to be placed at the interventional site. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213414 | VASCULAR HOLE CLOSURE DEVICE - A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall, the aperture having an external opening in an external region of the vessel wall and an internal opening in an internal region of the vessel wall. The device includes a covering member positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. First and second retainers are positionable external of the vessel and have a tip of a smaller transverse dimension and facing in a direction toward the covering member for advancement toward the covering member. A flexible connecting member operatively connects the covering member and the first retainer and moves the first retainer toward the covering member. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213415 | VASCULAR HOLE CLOSURE DEVICE - A device for closing an aperture in a vessel wall, the aperture having an external opening in an external region of the vessel wall and an internal opening in an internal region of the vessel wall. The device includes a covering member positionable inside the vessel against the internal opening of the aperture and having a dimension to prevent egress of fluid through the aperture. A securing member is positionable external of the vessel and has a plurality of pores extending therethrough. A flexible connecting member operatively connects the covering member and securing member and moves the securing member toward the covering member. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213416 | Adjustable Knotless Loops - Methods of attaching a soft tissue to an adjacent bone at a defect site are provided. At least one adjustable loop of a flexible construct is passed through the soft tissue. The at least one adjustable loop is passed through a passage construct. A locking member is passed through the at least one adjustable loop and the adjustable loop is reduced about or within the locking member such that the at least one loop is frictionally retained in the passage construct and locked in place by the locking member to thereby secure the soft tissue. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213417 | IMPLANT AND DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR SOFT TISSUE REPAIR - Implant and delivery systems for soft tissue repair which affix soft tissue portions to a region of bone are described. Generally, the assembly includes two bone anchors preloaded through an inserter handle such that each anchor is penetrated into the bone directly. The first anchor is inserted through the tissue and into the bone, where it is locked into position. The first anchor has a suture or wire that protrudes through the tissue and threads through the second anchor and is secured to a rotatable suture reel located along the handle. The second anchor is inserted through the tissue and into the bone independently of the first anchor. Once the second anchor is deployed, the suture or wire is tensioned to secure the soft tissue to the bone and a suture plug within the second anchor is deployed to lock the suture or wire in place. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213418 | MULTI-CHAMBER EXPANDABLE INTERSPINOUS PROCESS SPACER - An expandable interspinous process spacer is disclosed that includes at least two chambers, one disposed within the other. Each of the at least two chambers can receive an injectable biocompatible material, which advantageously may have different material properties such as hardness. Further, the expandable interspinous process spacer can be changed from a deflated configuration to an inflated configuration. In the inflated configuration, the expandable interspinous process spacer can engage and support a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213419 | Spinal Implant - A screw and rod fixation assembly includes a body member including a screw seat for seating a screw head therein and a rod seat for seating a rod therein. An adjustable locking ring applies a locking force against the screw head seated in the screw seat and a locking cap adjustably applies a locking force against a rod seated in the rod seat. The adjustable screw locking ring and locking cap function independent of each other. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213420 | CONTOURED BONE PLATE FOR FRACTURE FIXATION HAVING HOOK MEMBERS - A bone fixation plate for fixation of fractures having a small terminal bone fragment, such as fractures of the lateral malleolus. The bone fixation plate includes an elongated body, and two hook members extending from a first end of the elongated body. Each hook member curves back upon a bottom surface of the elongated body, back towards a second end of the elongated body, and terminating in a pointed prong region. The elongated body includes a first region, a second region, and an angled region disposed between the first and second region. The prong region has a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the angled region of the elongated body of the bone plate. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213421 | Bone Fixation Plate - An apparatus for reducing the profile of a bone fixation plate while, preventing backing out of screws is disclosed. The apparatus includes at least one section of relief and sections of engagement. The plate has at least two openings though which two screws can pass through bony tissue. As the screw is tightened, it will begin to lag the plate to the bone. When the screw head interferes with the plate at the interference point, there is a slight resistance that insertion forces can overcome. When the screw is advanced further, it snaps into the sliding fit area and is allowed to move freely. The forces that cause the screw to back out from the plate are preferably not strong enough to pass the screw head back past the interference section. It may be desirable to include a set screw to help prevent backout. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213422 | ORTHOPEDIC FIXATION ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE - An orthopedic fixation assembly for compressing bones includes a bone anchor coupled to a washer. The bone anchor includes a shaft, where the shaft extends along a radius of curvature. The bone anchor also includes a threaded end for anchoring into bone or bone fragments. The washer includes a body and a bore extending therethrough. The washer is coupled to the bone anchor by receiving the shaft within the bore. The washer is compressed against a surface of the underlying bone causing the washer to deform and apply a compressive force on the wire body and on the bone fragments. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213423 | BONE SCREW - A bone screw is provided that includes a tubular body having a first end and a closed second end. The tubular body has a tubular wall defining a cavity wherein the thickness of the wall in a radial direction is smaller than an inner radius of the cavity and wherein a plurality of recesses is provided extending entirely through the tubular wall into the cavity. The tubular body further includes an exterior bone thread on an exterior tubular surface portion of the tubular wall, a head at the first end configured to engage with a driver to advance the bone screw in the bone, and a tip at the second end. The tubular body, the head and the tip are formed as a single piece. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213424 | RECEIVING PART FOR RECEIVING A ROD FOR COUPLING THE ROD TO A BONE ANCHORING ELEMENT - A receiving part for receiving a rod for coupling the rod to a bone anchoring element includes a receiving part body including a first end and a second end, and having a substantially U-shaped recess at the first end forming a channel for receiving the rod, and an accommodation space for accommodating a head of the bone anchoring element, the accommodation space having an opening at the second end for introducing the head; and a pressure element arranged at least partially in the accommodation space, the pressure element including a first section having a second recess for receiving the rod, and a second section having a flexible portion to clamp the head, the first section and the second section being fixed relative to each other, wherein said pressure element is insertable from the opening. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213425 | SUPERELASTIC WASHER - Fastening apparatus includes a fastener ( | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213426 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELF FILLING BONE SCREWS - A self filling autograft bone screw for stabilizing and fusing bones within a body of a patient. The self filling autograft bone screw includes an elongated body member, a lumen disposed within the elongated body member, a plurality of external threads, a cutting section, and at least one opening disposed along the length of the elongated body member. A system and method for inserting a bone screw into a bone of a patient's body includes advancing and positioning a self-filling bone screw including an elongated body member, a lumen disposed within the elongated body member, a plurality of external threads, a cutting section, and at least one opening disposed along the length of the elongated body member into a bone within a patient's body. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213427 | Patient Selectable Joint Arthroplasty Devices and Surgical Tools - Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213428 | Patient Selectable Joint Arthroplasty Devices and Surgical Tools - Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213429 | Patient Selectable Joint Arthroplasty Devices and Surgical Tools - Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213430 | Patient Selectable Joint Arthroplasty Devices and Surgical Tools - Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213431 | Patient Selectable Joint Arthroplasty Devices and Surgical Tools - Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213432 | Guidewire And Method For Surgical Procedures - A surgical guide wire or K-wire and method of use are provided. The K-wire, or guide wire, has opposite end portions and a shank portion in between. One end portion has a deformable end portion that, once outside of a confining guide passage, can be deformed to present a projected forward facing area that is larger than the transverse cross section of the K-wire, or guide wire, while in the passage. The increased area will provide increased resistance to additional forward axial movement into the surgical site. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213433 | System and Method for Effectively Indicating Element Failure or a Preventive Maintenance Condition in an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) - Battery powered systems with long standby times, such as automatic external defibrillators (AEDs), may be required to indicate their operational status to a user by blinking lights or sounding speakers or buzzers. These active status indication activities consume power thereby reducing the battery life of the system. To conserve power and to be more effective in seeking attention from a human operator, the status alerts for the AED produced by an active status indicator (ASI) system can be more meaningful to humans or more unique relative to status alerts provided by conventional devices. Additionally, the ASI system may automatically adjust power consumed by the indicators in response to sensing environmental conditions of the AED. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213434 | Multiple Battery configurations in an Implantable Medical Device - Implantable medical device power circuits are disclosed. Multiple batteries may be provided, along with a number of switches, enabling a plurality of battery and power circuit configurations to be defined. Configurations of the power circuit may be changed in response to changes in battery status as the batteries are used and/or near end-of-life. Configurations of the power circuit may also be performed in response to changes in device operation. Methods associated with operating such circuits and implantable medical devices are also disclosed. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213435 | OPTIMAL CARDIAC PACING WITH Q LEARNING - A cardiac pacemaker control system constituted of: a means for receiving input from a hemodynamic sensor; an adaptive control system in communication with the means for receiving input from the hemodynamic sensor; and an interface arranged to provide cardiac stimulation responsive to the adaptive control system; the adaptive control system comprising a learning module operative to converge to patient specific cardiac pacing stimulation timing using a machine learning scheme in cooperation with a probabilistic replacement scheme, the probabilistic replacement scheme arranged to replace inputs from the hemodynamic sensor with online calculated values. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213436 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TREATING MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA - A method and device for treating myocardial ischemia are described in which the stress experienced by a myocardial region identified as vulnerable to becoming ischemic is varied with pre-excitation pacing. In an unloading mode, pacing is applied in proximity to the vulnerable region to reduce stress and the metabolic demand of the region. In a loading mode, pacing is applied to a region remote from the vulnerable region in order to produce a conditioning effect. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213437 | CHANGEABLE ELECTRODE POLARITY STIMULATION BY AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - We disclose a method of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device including coupling at least a first electrode and a second electrode to a cranial nerve of the patient, providing a programmable electrical signal generator coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode, generating a first electrical signal with the electrical signal generator, applying the first electrical signal to the electrodes, wherein the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode, reversing the polarity of the first electrode and the second electrode, yielding a configuration wherein the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode, generating a second electrical signal with the electrical signal generator, applying the second electrical signal to the electrodes, reversing the polarity of the first electrode and the second electrode, yielding a configuration wherein the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode, generating a third electrical signal with the electrical signal generator, and applying the third electrical signal to the electrodes. Each of the electrical signals can independently contain one or more pulses or one or more bursts. The number of pulses need not be equal between any two of the electrical signals. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213438 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT OF A PATIENT - A system used for controlling a position of a patient's tongue includes an implant having at least one electrode configured to deliver selective stimulation to particular fascicles of the Hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least one muscle of the tongue and a controller coupled to the implant. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213439 | Neuromodulation Having Non-Linear Dynamics - Methods of neuromodulation in a live mammalian subject, such as a human patient. The method comprises applying electromagnetic energy to a target site in the nervous system of the subject using a signal comprising a series of pulses, wherein the inter-pulse intervals are varied using the output of a deterministic, non-linear, dynamical system comprising one or more system control parameters. In certain embodiments, the target site may be a site in the brain involved in generalized CNS (central nervous system) arousal. The dynamical system may be capable of exhibiting chaotic behavior. Also provided are apparatuses for neuromodulation and software for operating such apparatuses. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213440 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SIGNAL DELIVERY FOR TISSUE AFFECTED BY NEURONAL DYSFUNCTION, DEGRADATION, DAMAGE, AND/OR NECROSIS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Electromagnetic signal delivery for tissue affected by neuronal dysfunction, degradation, damage, and/or necrosis, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes identifying an affected region, with the affected region including neuronal tissue that, at least during a pre-dysfunctional period, was in neural communication with neuronal tissue in a dysfunctional region. The affected tissue can be functionally adversely affected by neuronal dysfunction in the dysfunctional region. The method can further include applying electromagnetic signals to the neuronal tissue in the affected region. For example, the electromagnetic signals can be applied to a hypo-active neural region that is not physically damaged, and has been identified as likely to recover at least in part as a result of electromagnetic signals. Signals can be applied at sub-threshold levels to cortical and/or subcortical regions. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213441 | NEUROSTIMULATOR INVOLVING STIMULATION STRATEGIES AND PROCESS FOR USING IT - This is a neurostimulator that is configured to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders using certain stimulation strategies, particularly changing various pulse parameters, during the imposition of a burst of those pulses. The invention includes the processes embodying those stimulation strategies. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213442 | NEUROSTIMULATOR INVOLVING STIMULATION STRATEGIES AND PROCESS FOR USING IT - This is a neurostimulator that is configured to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders using certain stimulation strategies, particularly changing various pulse parameters, during the imposition of a burst of those pulses. The invention includes the processes embodying those stimulation strategies. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213443 | Biocompatible Bonding Method and Electronics Package Suitable for Implantation - The invention is directed to a method of bonding a hermetically sealed electronics package to an electrode or a flexible circuit and the resulting electronics package that is suitable for implantation in living tissue, for a retinal or cortical electrode array to enable restoration of sight to certain non-sighted individuals. The hermetically sealed electronics package is directly bonded to the flex circuit or electrode by electroplating a biocompatible material, such as platinum or gold, effectively forming a plated rivet-shaped connection, which bonds the flex circuit to the electronics package. The resulting electronic device is biocompatible and is suitable for long-term implantation in living tissue. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213444 | Energy Saving Silent Mode for Hearing Implant Systems - A signal processing arrangement for a cochlear implant system is described. A sensing microphone senses an acoustic signal to generate a corresponding electrical sound signal. An information detection circuit performs spectral analysis on the sound signal to identify the presence of speech information. A sound signal processing circuit generates an implant communications signal for the cochlear implant system based on the sound signal, and has an energy saving operational mode wherein the implant communications signal is generated only when the information detection circuit identifies that speech information is present in the sound signal. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213445 | STIMULATION LEAD, STIMULATION SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR LIMITING MRI-INDUCED CURRENT IN A STIMULATION LEAD - In one embodiment, a stimulation lead for delivering electrical pulses from a pulse generator to tissue of a patient, comprises: a plurality of electrodes; a plurality of terminals; a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes with the plurality of terminals; a lead body of insulative material for enclosing the plurality of conductors; and at least one magnetic-field actuated switch for limiting MRI-induced current between the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of terminals, wherein the magnetic-field actuated switch is actuated by magnetostrictive material. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213446 | Fungal Infection Therapy with Low Level Laser - A portable, small-footprint laser device contains one or more housings in which a laser energy source and an optical arrangement are disposed. The housing produces a laser beam spot that may be rotated and scanned to apply laser energy to a target area. The laser device receives treatment parameters and uses them to program a treatment regimen in which activation and movement of the housings is automated. The laser device may be used to apply a treatment regimen to a patient's hands or feet that are infected by Onychomycosis. In the treatment regimen, certain wavelengths of laser energy are applied at a predetermined duration. The treatment may be repeated, and a topical anti-fungal medication may be applied to aid in the efficacy of the treatment. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213447 | Handpiece with Optical Unit of a Skin Phototreatment Device - Handpiece formed of a shell with a handgrip connected to a bundle of electrical power supply cables and of heat transfer fluid tubes and a head, accommodating a cartridge fitted with the controlled light source and with a light guide fed from the light source and the outlet surface of which constitutes the surface via which the light signal is emitted towards the surface of the skin that is to be treated. It comprises a housing, made in the shell, arriving under the emission surface of the cartridge and equipped with guide means and clip-fastening members. An interchangeable optical unit carrying the light guide is fitted removably into the housing. This optical unit has a casing accepting the light guide and equipped with guiding and clip-fastening surfaces to collaborate with the guide means and the retractable clip-fastening members belonging to the housing. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213448 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE OBESITY TREATMENT - Apparatus and methods are provided for the effective and minimally invasive treatment of obesity. In one embodiment, a device for providing therapy to a patient includes an inflatable structure adapted and configured for positioning at least partially within a gastroesophageal (GE) space formed between an inner wall of a phrenoesophageal ligament (POL) and outer walls of the esophagus and cardiac orifice and an electrode structure adapted and configured for positioning at least partially within the GE space. In another embodiment, a method for treating a patient includes introducing an electrode at least partially into a gastroesophageal (GE) space formed between an inner wall of a phrenoesophageal ligament (POL) and outer walls of the esophagus and cardiac orifice and modulating tissue using the electrode. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213449 | APPARATUS FOR VESSEL ACCESS CLOSURE - Embodiments are described for closing vascular access ports, such as arteriotomies, which involve placement and deployment of an expandable device configured to prevent blood flow across a subject arteriotomy while also keeping disturbance of intravascular flow to a minimum. Suitable prostheses may comprise one or more frames constructed from lengths of flexible materials, such as shape memory alloys or polymers. Such frames may be coupled to sheetlike or tube-like structures configured to spread loads, minimize thrombosis which may be related to intravascular flow, and maintain hemostasis. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213450 | MEDICAL DEVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM - A medical device delivery system for remotely deploying a stent or similar medical device is disclosed. The medical device delivery system includes a delivery device having a handle engaged to an elongated barrel with a puller arrangement attached to an elongated outer catheter defining a distal end engaged to a catheter tip that collectively encapsulates the medical device. The handle includes a trigger actuator operatively engaged to a drive mechanism with a lead screw that drives the puller arrangement along the barrel. During deployment, the trigger actuator is actuated by the user, which activates the drive mechanism and rotates the lead screw for moving the puller arrangement to automatically deploy the medical device. In manual operation, the user disengages the lead screw from the puller arrangement and manually moves the puller arrangement toward the handle to manually deploy the medical device rather than actuate the trigger actuator. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213451 | MEDICAL DEVICE SHIELD AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING A MEDICAL DEVICE - Device shields for packaging and protecting medical devices during storage and deployment. A device shield includes a housing configured to maintain a medical device and at least a portion of a medical device delivery apparatus within the housing, and a limit element having a first constraining position and a second open position. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213452 | STENT - A bioabsorable stent is disclosed. The stent is made of a bioabsorable material and has an elongated body having a proximate end, a distal end, and at least one open channel formed on the exterior surface of the elongated body to provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end. Also disclosed is a bioabsorable stent having an elongated center rod having a proximate end and a distal end and a plurality of leaflets extending outward from the center rod and forming channels between two neighboring leaflets to provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213453 | STENT - A bioabsorable stent is disclosed. The stent is made of a bioabsorable material and has an elongated body having a proximate end, a distal end, and at least one open channel formed on the exterior surface of the elongated body to provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end. Also disclosed is a bioabsorable stent having an elongated center rod having a proximate end and a distal end and a plurality of leaflets extending outward from the center rod and forming channels between two neighboring leaflets to provide fluid communication between the proximal end and the distal end. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213454 | Porous Synthetic Vascular Grafts with Oriented Ingrowth Channels - A vascular prosthesis is constructed from a structure having interconnected, helically oriented channel-porosity to allow oriented ingrowth of connective tissue into a wall of the prosthesis. The prosthesis can have a small internal diameter of 6 mm or less. Several different methods can be used to produce the prosthesis, including a fiber winding and extraction technique, a melt extrusion technique, and a particle and fiber extraction technique using either a layered method or a continuous method. Furthermore, mechanical properties of prosthesis are matched with mechanical properties of the host vessel, thereby overcoming problems of compliance mismatch. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213455 | STENT GRAFT - A stent-graft including an inner stent having a wall structure including juxtaposed strut-patterns with interconnected struts and connectors connecting the strut-patterns is described. The wall structure of the inner stent has a predetermined length. An outer stent is coaxially arranged around the inner stent and has a wall structure including juxtaposed strut-patterns with interconnected struts and connectors connecting the strut-patterns. The wall structure of the outer stent has a predetermined length and a flexible stretchable material layer arranged between the inner stent and the outer stent. The wall structure of the inner stent has a design differing from the design of the wall structure of the outer stent and the length of the inner stent is equal to the length of the outer stent. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213456 | SIDE-CHAIN CRYSTALLIZABLE POLYMERS FOR MEDICAL APPLICATIONS - Side-chain crystallizable (SCC) polymers are useful in various medical applications. In certain applications, heavy atom containing side-chain crystallizable polymers (HACSCCP's) are particularly useful. An example of a HACSCCP is a polymer that comprises a main chain, a plurality of crystallizable side chains, and a plurality of heavy atoms attached to the polymer. In certain configurations, the heavy atoms are present in an amount that is effective to render the polymer radiopaque. A polymeric material that includes an HACSCCP may be fabricated into a medical device useful for at least partially occluding a body cavity. For example, such a medical device may be an embolotherapy product. A polymeric material that includes a SCC polymer may also be fabricated into other medical devices, such as stents. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213457 | ANGIOPLASTY STENTS - An angioplasty stent comprises a body comprising a plurality of successive segments connected in pairs by bridge means so that the successive segments can be oriented relative to one another for the purposes of bending of the body in any direction defined by a linear combination of respective orientation axes defined by the bridge connection means. During the radial expansion of the stent, the axial contraction of the segments resulting from the opening-out of the respective loops is compensated by axial projection of the bridge elements from the respective concave portions. The wall of the body comprises arms for supporting a lumen as well as regions which are selectively deformable during the expansion of the stent, the arms and the selectively deformable regions having different cross-sections and/or cross-sectional areas. At least one portion of the body may have a substantially reticular structure, the branches of which define geometrical figures identifiable as fractals. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213458 | INTRAVASCULAR STENT - The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213459 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE TREATMENT - Devices and methods are configured to allow transcervical or subclavian access via the common carotid artery to the native aortic valve, and implantation of a prosthetic aortic valve into the heart. The devices and methods also provide means for embolic protection during such an endovascular aortic valve implantation procedure. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213460 | Unstented Heart Valve with Formed in Place Support Structure - An implantable prosthetic valve has an in situ formable support structure. The valve comprises a prosthetic valve, having a base and at least one flow occluder. A first flexible component is incapable of retaining the valve at a functional site in the arterial vasculature. The first component extends proximally of the base of the valve. A second flexible component is incapable of retaining the valve at a functional site in the arterial vasculature. The second component extends distally of the base of the valve. At least one rigidity component combines with at least one of the first and second flexible components to impart sufficient rigidity to the first or second components to retain the valve at the site. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213461 | Prosthetic Valve for Transluminal Delivery - A prosthetic valve assembly for use in replacing a deficient native valve comprises a replacement valve supported on an expandable valve support. If desired, one or more anchor may be used. The valve support, which entirely supports the valve annulus, valve leaflets, and valve commissure points, is configured to be collapsible for transluminal delivery and expandable to contact the anatomical annulus of the native valve when the assembly is properly positioned. The anchor engages the lumen wall when expanded and prevents substantial migration of the valve assembly when positioned in place. The prosthetic valve assembly is compressible about a catheter, and restrained from expanding by an outer sheath. The catheter may be inserted inside a lumen within the body, such as the femoral artery, and delivered to a desired location, such as the heart. When the outer sheath is retracted, the prosthetic valve assembly expands to an expanded position such that the valve and valve support expand within the deficient native valve, and the anchor engages the lumen wall. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213462 | Multi-Focal Intraocular Lens System and Methods - The invention pertains to methods, components, and operations of multi-focal intraocular lens systems, including range finding for driving same and for discriminating between multiple objects and varying brightness conditions. The invention also pertains to intraocular photosensors and range-finding methods to be used with intra-ocular lens systems, and components, that provide multi-focal IOL capabilities in dynamic visual environments. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213463 | ANNULUS-REINFORCING BAND - A pliable band or hoop that is flexible to normal handling, but cannot stretch circumferentially once it has reached the limits of its circumferential length. The band may have a structural portal to be used for filling, or it may simply be constructed of a fabric-like material that allows a fill tube to perforate its walls to allow for filling. In the latter case, the perforated wall tends to self-seal once the fill tube is withdrawn. The band may be flat or tubular in cross-section. However, unlike a balloon, the band does not require either a bottom or a top, as we found that a top and bottom are unnecessary when using a band or hoop to enclose material injected into a reamed out intervertebral space. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213464 | INJECTION OF FIBRIN SEALANT IN THE ABSENCE OF CORTICOSTEROIDS IN SPINAL APPLICATIONS - A method and kit for treating a disc that is leaking nucleus pulposus through at least one defect in the annulus fibrosus. The method includes injecting a fibrin sealant into the disc to reduce at least a portion of the at least one defect, wherein the fibrin sealant injected into the disc comprises fibrinogen and an activating compound, wherein at least a portion of the fibrin forms after injection, with the proviso that a corticosteroid is absent from the fibrin sealant injected into the disc. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213465 | EXPANDABLE INTERBODY FUSION DEVICE - An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior plates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of expansion members or wafers. The superior and inferior plates include features that at least initially interlock the two plates until the superior plate is dislodged by pressure from the growing wafer stack. The wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. Each wafer also includes features that interlock with the inferior plate until the wafer is dislodged by sequential introduction of another wafer. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213466 | Method and Apparatus for Force Redistribution in Articular Joints - Pathologies of joints arising from improper force distributions are addressed by displacement of targeted connective and muscle tissues surrounding the joint in order to realign force vectors and alter moment arms loading the joint. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213467 | ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANT WITH WOVEN INGROWTH MATERIAL - Methods and apparatuses for attaching soft tissue and bone to orthopaedic implants. The orthopaedic implants are provided with a woven ingrowth material to facilitate attachment of soft tissue and bone thereto. In one embodiment, the woven ingrowth material is formed as a patch or region of woven material attached to the implant. In another embodiment, a sleeve formed of woven ingrowth material encompasses the majority of the implant. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213468 | Silane Coating Process for High Alkali Bioactive Glasses - A method of preparing a ceramic-resin composite material for bone repair, including preparing a predetermined amount of pH controlled substantially anhydrous coupling agent by mixing a liquid silane material, alcohol and organic acid, producing particulate bioactive glass having a desired particle size of less than about 53 mesh, measuring a desired quantity of the particulate bioactive glass into a mixing vessel, heating the mixing vessel and particulate bioactive glass to about 100 degrees Celsius, mixing the heated quantity of particulate bioactive glass and spraying a predetermined amount of substantially anhydrous coupling agent into the heated quantity of particulate bioactive glass to define an admixture, mixing the admixture for sufficient time to define a quantity of substantially evenly coated particles, heating the quantity of substantially evenly coated particles for sufficient time to evolve excess solvent therefrom, and incorporating the quantity of substantially evenly coated particles into a resinous matrix to define a bone replacement medium. | 2011-09-01 |
| 20110213469 | Systems and Methods for Bariatric Therapy - The present invention provides bariatric therapy systems. One system includes a gastrointestinal implant device and a delivery mechanism therefor. The device can include a sleeve for placement into a small intestine and to minimize absorption of nutrients by its walls. An anchoring mechanism coupled to a proximal end of the sleeve and designed to be secured within the stomach can be provided. A passageway extending through the anchoring mechanism and the sleeve can also be provided, along which food can be directed from the stomach to the small intestine. The delivery mechanism can include a housing for accommodating the device, and a deploying balloon situated within the housing and which can be actuated to direct the sleeve of the device from within the housing to the site of implantation. Methods for providing bariatric therapy are also provided by the present invention. | 2011-09-01 |
