| 36th week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 55 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20080215024 | Absorbent Article Having a Dehydration Indicator - A wearable article comprising a dehydration indicator adapted to measure a urine ionic strength correlated to a specific gravity of the wearer's urine and provide a visible signal when the urine ionic strength reaches a value corresponding to a predetermined threshold of the specific gravity. The wearable article may be a disposable absorbent article. The dehydration indicator may also be comprised in an insert for use with a wearable article. The dehydration indicator may provide qualitative or quantitative information about the ionic strength of the wearer's urine. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215025 | Edge Fold Having Substantially Uniform Gathers For Absorbent Article And Method For Making - A method for making an edge fold on an absorbent article having longitudinal edges including the steps of activating a portion of an absorbent article along its longitudinal edges to create substantially uniform gathers, folding a portion of the absorbent article along its longitudinal edges, and bonding a portion of the absorbent article along its longitudinal edges. Said method may include the step of cutting a portion of the absorbent article before the step of folding. Said method may include the step of cutting a portion of the absorbent article after the step of bonding. Said step of activation may include the application of heat to the absorbent article to assist in the activating process, whether before or during activation. Said bonding may be performed by application of adhesive, ultrasonic bonding, compression bonding, thermal bonding, radio frequency bonding, infrared bonding and combinations thereof. Absorbent articles include disposable diapers, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, incontinence briefs, and incontinence undergarments. Said step of folding creates an edge fold that substantially covers a portion of a longitudinal edge between a pair of side panels. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215026 | Superabsorbing Foam, Method for the Production and Use Thereof - A superabsorbent foam comprising from 0.01% by weight to 10% by weight of fibers composed of woodpulp or waste paper, based on the dry weight of the foam. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215027 | REUSABLE DIAPERS - A reusable diaper may include an inner layer to wick moisture and an outer layer substantially impervious to liquids. A waist portion may include a corner region for securing the diaper in a desired position. The corner region may be resiliently stretchable and substantially impervious to liquids, and may include first and second layers coupled to the respective inner and outer layers. The coupled first layer and inner layer define a first seam allowance, and the coupled second layer and outer layer define a second seam allowance. The first and second seam allowances may be positioned within the corner region to help inhibit wicking of liquid through the seam allowances into the corner region. And a fluid-resistant region may be provided to help resist wicking of moisture through the inner layer past the fluid-resistant region. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215028 | HIGHLY-ADJUSTABLE, FITTED CLOTH DIAPER - A cloth diaper is fitted, washable and reusable, and highly effective in reducing or preventing leaks. The diaper comprises fabric preferably on both the outermost surface and the inner most surface that is stretchable, soft, and has hydrophilic and wicking properties. The diaper comprises an inner absorbent layer(s) between said hydrophilic and wicking fabric layers. A preferred continuously-adjustable fastening system may be used to adapt the diaper to fit a wide range of sizes of infants and toddlers, for example, from birth up to four years old. The fastening system allows a large amount of the front side of the diaper to be folded inside the diaper, significantly changing the overall size of the diaper to accommodate small infants. Even with the large folded-in flap, soft, wicking fabric is maintained against the child's skin, and the fastener system portion that is also folded inward does not interfere with absorbency. The preferred “V-shaped” fastener extends far down on the front side of the diaper, most of the way to the “crotch” area of the diaper, and also has wings/extensions from the top ends of the arms of the “V”, thus, allowing fastening of the diaper all along the length of each of the arms of the “V” and also out along the transverse length of the wing/extensions. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215029 | PLATEN PUMP - Disclosed is an infusion pump and a fluid container for expelling a fluid from the fluid container to a patient. The pump comprises a housing having a chamber therein for receiving the fluid reservoir. A first wall is provided on the housing for contacting the fluid reservoir, and a second wall is movable from a first position distanced from the first wall to form the chamber therebetween, and a second position relatively closer to the first wall. Advancing the movable wall from the first position to the second position expels fluid from the collapsible reservoir. Preferably, the first and second walls are provided with non-planar complementary surface configurations for contacting the collapsible reservoir. Retraction mechanisms for retracting the movable wall from the second position to the first position, and user readable indicium of the status of the dispensation cycle are also disclosed. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215030 | Assembly for Filling a Container of a Delivery Device with a Pharmaceutical - A filling assembly for a container of a delivery device. The filling assembly includes a housing, a cartridge, and a transfer needle assembly. The housing is adapted to releaseably secure a fillable secondary container, and to movably mount the pharmaceutical filled cartridge. When the cartridge is advanced within the housing, a needle of the needle assembly pierces a septum of the fillable secondary container, as well as the cartridge septum. Advancement of the cartridge piston, such as with a lever equipped plunging tool of the filling assembly, forces pharmaceutical from the cartridge to the container through the needle. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215031 | Pelvic balloon tamponade - An implantable device is provided for controlling hemorrhage in a body cavity, comprising an expandable balloon and a conduit for supplying a physiologically compatible fluid to inflate the balloon. When the balloon tamponade device is implanted or inserted into the body cavity, it is inflated with a physiologically suitable fluid, so that the balloon generally conforms to the body cavity and exerts compressive force against the walls, tissues or structures of the body cavity to control hemorrhage. The balloon may have a deforming means to limit expansion of the balloon in a direction to facilitate expansion of the balloon in another direction. The device may have additional tubes within the conduit, or a plurality of separate lumens within the conduit or tubes to allow drainage and irrigation to the body cavity. There is also provided a cuff for attachment of an external traction to the balloon tamponade, to facilitate the compressive effect of the device. In a preferred embodiment, there is provided a dual balloon tamponade in which two balloons are axially spaced along the conduit, providing a means to control hemorrhage from two distinct body cavities, such as a uterus and a vagina. There is also provided a method to control hemorrhage in a body cavity by implantation or insertion of the balloon tamponade, inflating the balloon with a fluid to a sufficient pressure and retaining the fluid pressure within the balloon for a sufficient period of time to determine whether hemorrhage has been controlled. A kit comprising the balloon tamponade apparatus is also provided. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215032 | Minimizing Metal Toxicity During Electroporation Enhanced Delivery of Polynucleotides - Methods are provided for introducing a polynucleotide into healthy tissue and generating a pulsed electric field in the tissue via invasive electrodes, resulting in enhanced delivery of the polynucleotide into cells of the tissue, while minimizing local side effects to the electroporated tissue and systemic side effects to the electroporated organism due to metal contaminants released from said electrodes. In one embodiment, the invention methods Use electrodes of gold, gold alloys, or other metal that minimize the introduction of toxic amounts of the metal into electroporated tissue. In other embodiments, the invention methods are utilized for the gene therapy by administering DNA to cells of suitable target tissue, and for the induction of an immune response by administration of a DNA vaccine. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215033 | SPINAL DIAGNOSTIC METHODS AND APPARATUS - Methods, devices and systems facilitate diagnosis, and in some cases treatment, of back pain originating in intervertebral discs. Methods generally involve introducing one or more substances into one or more discs using a catheter device. In one embodiment, a patient assumes a position that causes back pain, and a substance such as an anesthetic or analgesic is introduced into the disc to determine whether the substance relieves the pain. Injections into multiple discs may optionally be performed, to help pinpoint a disc as a source of the patient's pain. In some embodiments, the catheter device is left in place, and possibly coupled with another implantable device, to provide treatment of one or more discs. A catheter device includes at least one anchoring member for maintaining a distal portion of the catheter within a disc. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215034 | Endotracheal cuff and technique for using the same - An inflatable balloon cuff with a water-swellable coating may be adapted to seal a patient's trachea when associated with an endotracheal tube. The water-swellable coating may enhance a cuff's mechanical pressure seal. The water-swellable coating may be loosely adhered or not adhered to the cuff in order to allow the coating to flow into and seal any leak paths that may form when the cuff is inflated in a patient's trachea. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215035 | Systems, devices and methods for sustained delivery of a therapeutic fluid - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices, systems and methods for delivering therapeutic fluid (e.g., insulin) into the body, including a skin adherable cradle, for retaining a therapeutic fluid dispenser for delivering a therapeutic fluid to a user. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215036 | Atraumatic Occlusion Balloons and Skirts, and Methods of Use Thereof - One aspect of the present invention relates to catheters that can be placed in or around bodily conduits to occlude or widen a biological lumen without imparting significant trauma to the lumen. In certain embodiments, the invention particularly relates to the use of a polymer composition which can be made to gel upon insertion into said balloon or skirt. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition is a liquid at room temperature and a gel at mammalian physiological temperature. In certain embodiments, the inflating viscous polymer composition comprises an optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215037 | Temperature responsive systems - A shape memory material activated device of the present invention uses a shape memory material activator to create a path through a shell wall of the device. The path through the shell wall may release a substance contained in the shell or allow a substance to enter the shell. The path may be created by fracturing, puncturing, exploding, imploding, peeling, tearing, stretching, separating, debonding, abrading or otherwise opening the shell and, may be permanent or reversible. The substance may be released in one location while the device is stationary or along a path while it is traveling, self-powered by the shape memory material activator. In addition, the substance may be delivered to an object upon contact with its surface. The self powering abilities allow these devices to be used as substance delivery devices as well as actuators, transporters, and energy conversion systems with modular characteristics and growth potential. The devices may be armed, prior to the beginning of their service life, to be placed in a state of readiness to release their substances once the path is created. Prior to arming they may be maintained at any temperature, incapable of releasing their substances. The devices according to the present invention may be used as temperature sensors or warning devices, drug delivery devices, and the like. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215038 | Hair Removing System - The invention relates to a system and method for removing hair The system comprises a hair detection device and a hair-removing device ( | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215039 | Method and Apparatus for Inhibiting Pain Signals During Vacuum-Assisted Medical Treatments of the Skin - An apparatus adapted to inhibit pain signals generated by pain receptors in the skin during a skin related medical treatment such as an injection. An evacuation chamber is provided with an essentially rigid interface element through which a medical treatment can be administered to a selected skin region, one or more walls which are placeable on, or in the vicinity of, the skin region, an interior defined by the walls and by the interface element, and an opening at the bottom of the interior which is sealable by the skin region. A device generates a vacuum within the evacuation chamber interior to a level suitable for drawing the skin region through the opening towards, and in a compressing relation against, the interface element, to inhibit the transmission of a pain signal generated by pain receptors located within the skin region. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215040 | VARIABLE DEPTH SKIN HEATING WITH LASERS - Treating biological tissue can include selecting parameter for electromagnetic radiation based on at least one parameter of a target region within the biological tissue. Treating biological tissue also includes methods, systems, and kits for delivering the electromagnetic radiation through a surface of the biological tissue to the target region to induce within the target region a sub-surface thermal injury characterized, for example, by a desired degree and a desired depth and confining the sub-surface thermal injury to substantially within the target region. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215041 | Cannula/optical fibre assembly and laser instrument including said assembly - The assembly includes a cannula, which comprises an opening at a so-called distal extremity and electromagnetic radiation wave guiding means, which include an optical fibre introduced inside the cannula and which enable the electromagnetic radiation to be guided to the opening of the distal extremity of the cannula, in such a way that this electromagnetic radiation is emitted frontally by said distal opening of the cannula. The external diameter of the protective sheath of the optical fibre is essentially equal to the internal diameter of the cannula in at least one distal portion of said cannula; the core of the optical fibre is stripped on a distal part of the fibre, and the stripped distal part of the optical fibre is accommodated entirely inside the cannula. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215042 | Therapeutic Apparatus Having Insulated Region At The Insertion Area - Apparatus and methods for insulating tissue during therapeutic procedures. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215043 | WIDE AREA ABLATION OF MYOCARDIAL TISSUE - The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for cryogenically ablating large areas of tissue within the left atrium. In an exemplary embodiment a cryotherapy device includes a catheter body having a substantially fixed diameter, a proximal end and a distal end; a first lumen for permitting passage of a cooling fluid from the proximal end to the distal end; a second lumen permitting return of the cooling fluid from the distal end to the proximal end; and an ablation element expandable from a first diameter that is substantially the same as the diameter of the catheter body to a second diameter that is at least twice the diameter of the catheter body, the ablation element having a surface portion that conforms to the uneven surface topography of the cardiac tissue. The ablation element can include one or more balloon and/or a flexible element that is deformed by moving the distal end of the catheter toward the proximal end of the catheter. The surface of the balloon can further be shaped by regulation of pressure within the one or more balloons. In an exemplary method a tissue ablation device is provided and tissue in the antrum of the left atrium is ablated with the device. In an exemplary method, only tissue in the antrum is ablated, and the ablation is created by freezing tissue. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215044 | Needle or catheter for the thermal coagulation of blood vessels - Needle or catheter for thermally coagulating blood vessels, which mainly consists of an elongated body ( | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215045 | Multi-Port Side-Fire Coagulator - An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue used in combination with an endoscope which includes an elongated flexible tube having a plurality of side-ports located therethrough. The tube extends through a working channel of the endoscope and an ionizable gas is supplied to the tube at or near the proximal end of the tube. A diffusing member directs the ionizable gas from the proximal end of the tube through each of the side-ports towards the tissue. An electrode is used for ionizing the gas prior to the gas exiting the side-ports. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215046 | MEDICAL DEVICE CONTROL SYSTEM - A medical device for use by an operator to perform a medical procedure in a body includes a handle to be held by the operator, a shaft attached to the handle and an actuating assembly to control functions associated with the medical procedure. The shaft includes an operative distal portion to perform a medical procedure in the body. The medical device may be part of an ablation catheter system that is programmed to correlate one or more functions with the actuation of the actuating assembly. Multiple actuating assemblies may be provided. Each actuating assembly may be a button. Other types of actuating assemblies may also be used, such as switches or a trackball. The actuating assembly may also be provided on a sleeve that may be selectively attached to the handle of the catheter or the physician operating the catheter, for example. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215047 | Esophageal Electrocatheter - An esophageal catheter comprises an insertion element ( | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215048 | Electrosurgical Instrument - The invention relates to an electrosurgical instrument for coagulating and/or cutting biological tissue, which can be manufactured easily and economically, wherein a surgical intervention is to be carried out easily and reliably with the instrument. For this purpose, the instrument comprises the following:
| 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215049 | ELECTRO-CAUTERY CATHETER - An integrated catheter assembly for enabling diverse endoscopic in situ therapies. The assembly includes a catheter with an irrigation fluid lumen, a distal electrode tip portion that acts as a hemostat, and a cutting wire for making incisions in or ablating tissue. A cutting wire hub provides a sealing entrance for a cutting wire. An operator enables the physician to displace the cutting wire between extended and retracted positions. The cutting wire and electrode are electrically isolated. In addition, the catheter assembly may include a planar tip which, when extended outside the distal end of the assembly, assumes a substantially flat unbiased configuration for use. The apparatus of the present invention allows the physician to make incisions in or ablate tissue using electrosurgery, irrigate tissue, and cauterize or coagulate tissue without having to remove the apparatus from the working channel of the endoscope. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215050 | TISSUE ENGAGING HEMOSTASIS DEVICE - Various methods and devices are provided for cauterizing tissue. In one embodiment, a device for cauterizing tissue is provided and includes an elongate shaft adapted to be inserted through a body lumen, and a bipolar hemostasis probe disposable through the flexible elongate shaft and having a distal end adapted to cauterize tissue. An articulating jaw can be movably coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft such that the articulating jaw and the distal end of the probe are adapted to grasp tissue therebetween. The probe can have at least one electrode disposed on a distal end thereof, and a proximal end of the probe can be adapted to couple to an energy source for delivering energy to the distal end of the probe to facilitate cauterization of tissue. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215051 | Laparoscopic Bipolar Electrosurgical Instrument - A laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue includes a handle having an elongated tube affixed thereto. The tube includes first and second jaw members having electrically conductive sealing surfaces attached to a distal end thereof which are movable from a first position for approximating tissue to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. The handle includes a fixed handle and a handle which is movable relative to the fixed handle to effect movement of the jaw members from the first position to the second position for grasping tissue. The jaw members connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the opposable sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. A stop is included for maintaining a minimum separation distance between opposing sealing surfaces. A ratchet is also included to maintain a closure force in the range of about 7 kg/cm | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215052 | Allograft implant workstation - The invention is directed toward a portable surgical workstation for implant formation comprising a base with a central planar section with integral handles extending from the central planar section at an angle to the plane of the central planar section. The central planar section has a plurality of tracks and a throughgoing slot with a recessed stepped surrounding surface formed on a bottom surface of the central planar section. A vise assembly mounted to the base and comprises a fixed jaw member secured to the base, a traveling jaw member moveably mounted to the base and a fixed drive housing mounted to the base. The traveling jaw member has a plurality of rail members adapted to be slidably mounted in the central planar section tracks. The fixed drive housing has a threaded longitudinal bore which receives a threaded drive shaft, one end of the drive shaft being secured in the traveling jaw member to preclude axial movement of the drive shaft within the traveling jaw member while retaining rotational movement to transport the traveling jaw members toward and away from the fixed jaw member. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215053 | Prevention of re-use of a medical device - A disposable medical device is especially an articulation for the relative positioning of fixation bars or of pins of an external fixator, having at least a clamping means to be introduced into the medical device, the clamping means comprises an element that alters its appearance when being heated over a threshold temperature, thus giving optical or mechanical information that the device should not be used a second time. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215054 | Devices and Methods for Minimizing the Hemorrhage from and Minimizing Infection of a Divided Sternum During Cardiac Surgery - A device for capping a severed sternum. The device comprises an end wall configured to extend along a length of severed sternum. A gasket is attached to the end wall configured to abut at least part of the length of a severed sternum when deployed thereon. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215055 | Method and apparatus for a planar drill - A method of preparing a surface of a joint for receipt of a graft is provided. The method can include providing a cutting tool having a solid, shallow angle cutting surface. The method can also include cutting a shallow section out of the anatomy with the solid, shallow angle cutting surface to form a bore. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215056 | Powered Drivers, Intraosseous Devices And Methods To Access Bone Marrow - Apparatus and methods are provided to penetrate a bone and associated bone marrow using a powered driver. The powered driver may include a housing having a gear assembly, a motor and a power supply disposed therein. A penetrator assembly may be releasably engaged with one end of a drive shaft extending from the housing. The powered driver may include a light operable to illuminate an insertion site for the penetrator assembly. An indicator may be provided to show status of an associated power supply. An indicator may also be provided to show status of penetrating bone and/or associated bone marrow using a penetrator assembly. The apparatus may include an enable switch to prevent undesired operation of the powered driver. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215057 | Instrument for Preparing and/or Machining a Femoral Head - The invention relates to an instrument for preparing and/or machining a femoral head ( | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215058 | Spine distraction implant and method - A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a spinal extension stop while allowing freedom of spinal flexion. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215059 | MARKING TEMPLATE FOR INSTALLING A CUSTOM REPLACEMENT DEVICE FOR RESURFACING A FEMUR AND ASSOCIATED INSTALLATION METHOD - A replacement device for resurfacing a joint surface of a femur and a method of making and installing such a device is provided. The custom replacement device is designed to substantially fit the trochlear groove surface, of an individual femur. Thereby creating a “customized” replacement device for that individual femur and maintaining the original kinematics of the joint. The replacement device may be defined by four boundary points, and a first and a second surface. The first of four points is 3 to 5 mm from the point of attachment of the anterior cruciate ligament to the femur. The second point is near the bottom edge of the end of the natural articulatar cartilage. The third point is at the top ridge of the right condyle and the fourth point at the top ridge of the left condyle of the femur. The top surface is designed so as to maintain centrally directed tracking of the patella perpendicular to the plane established by the distal end of the femoral condyles and aligned with the center of the femoral head. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215060 | FASTENER INSERTION METHOD - A method may include rotating a threaded fastener at a first rotational speed to provide a kinetic energy force component for the fastener based on the first rotational speed and driving the fastener into a structure based on the rotating. The structure may provide a torsional resistance during the driving greater than a torsional strength of the fastener. The driving may provide a torque force component applied to the fastener. The driving may cut threads into the structure with the fastener. The driving may apply a total force to the structure from the fastener including the kinetic energy force component and the torque force component. The total force applied by the fastener may be greater than or equal to a force required for the cutting. The torque force component may be less than a torsional strength of the fastener. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215061 | Screwdriver for bone screws - In a screwdriver for bone screws, having a handle and rotationally fixedly held thereon a shaft, the free end of which has a non-circular cross section and is insertable in a positively locked manner in a non-circular receiving opening in the head of a bone screw, at least one expander element being mounted so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction in the shaft and so as to slide, when displaced in the longitudinal direction, along a slide surface in the area of the free end of the shaft in such a way that it projects laterally over the contour of the shaft, in order to simplify the actuation of the at least one expander element, it is proposed that the at least one expander element be pretensioned by an elastic spring element in the direction towards the free end of the shaft and be retractable against the action of the spring element in the shaft until it no longer projects laterally over the contour of the shaft. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215062 | Packaging for holding an ophthalmic shunt - Packaging for holding an ophthalmic shunt, the ophthalmic shunt having a foot, a head, and a body connecting the foot and head, the packaging having an elastomeric membrane with an aperture for receiving the shunt in the packaging. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215063 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANASTOMOSIS INCLUDING AN ANCHORING SLEEVE - Apparatus for performing a surgical anastomosis include a tubular body having an onion portion formed near the distal end of the tubular body. The apparatus includes a sleeve having a radius sized and dimensioned to slidably receive the tubular body therein. The apparatus includes a plunger assembly sized and dimensioned to be slidably received within the central lumen of the tubular body. The plunger assembly includes a distal end configured and adapted to deploy the onion portion. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215064 | Endoscopic treatment instrument - An endoscopic treatment instrument is provided comprising: a cylinder adapted to be fitted over a tip of an insertion section of an endoscope; a loop-shaped snare wire which protrudes in the cylinder from a snare sheath that is extendable and retractable with respect to the insertion section and which is extendable within the cylinder; a hooked portion which is formed and radially inwardly extended from the circumference of the tip of cylinder and which holds the snare wire within the cylinder; a locking portion which is provided on the hooked portion and retains a folded-back portion of the snare wire that is forwardly moved toward the cylinder tip with respect to the snare sheath and by means of which the snare wire is turned upside-down around the folded-back portion. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215065 | Medical robotic arm that is attached to an operating table - A system for performing minimally invasive cardiac procedures includes a pair of surgical instruments coupled to a pair of robotic arms with end effectors that can be manipulated to hold and suture tissue. The robotic arms are coupled to a pair of master handles by a controller to produce a corresponding movement of the end effectors. The movement of the handles is scaled such that the end effectors movement corresponds differently, typically smaller, than the movement performed by the hands of the surgeon. The input button allows the surgeon to adjust the position of the handles without moving the end effector, so that the handles can be moved to a more comfortable position. The system may include a robotically controlled endoscope allowing the surgeon to remotely view a surgical site. The surgeon may manipulate handles and move end effectors to perform a cardiac procedure. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215066 | Apparatus for Positioning a Medical Instrument Relative to a Patient - The present device provides an apparatus for securely positioning a medical instrument through an incision within a patient. The apparatus comprises a trocar for extending through the incision in the patient and receiving the medical instrument. The apparatus also comprises a drive assembly for moving the medical instrument within the trocar in a direction that extends substantially parallel to the length of the trocar. The drive assembly can have a housing that is spaced from the trocar or that forms a portion of the trocar. The apparatus also includes a positioning system for rotating the medical instrument about a plurality of spaced points located outside the body and a plurality of perpendicularly extending axes. The positioning system includes an adapter for securing the trocar to the positioning system. A first motor system rotates the adapter and trocar about a first axis that extends substantially perpendicular to the length of the trocar and a second motor system rotates the adapter, the trocar and the drive assembly about a second axis that extends substantially perpendicular to the first axis. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215067 | MANIPULATORS EMPLOYING MULTIPLE DEFORMABLE ELONGATE MEMBERS - A manipulator is configured with three or more substantially concentric, elongate members configured such that relative rotation and translation of the elongate members adjusts both the spatial position and orientation of the distal end of the manipulator and the spatial positioning of the manipulator along its length. In one arrangement, the elongate members are pre-curved such that the distal end portions of the elongate members have generally arcuate shapes in a resting state. When the three elongate members are combined in a substantially concentric manner, the overall shape of the manipulator is a composite of the individual elongate member shapes. Varying the relative translation and rotational orientation of the component elongate members achieves a family of resulting manipulator shapes as well as a desired spatial position and orientation of the distal end portion of the manipulator. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215068 | Skin treatment system - Apparatus for abrading skin and simultaneously delivering a liquid topical solution to the skin includes a vacuum source, a hand-held applicator wand including a skin abrading brush, and a collection canister for collecting exfoliated skin particles and any liquids associated therewith entrained by an air flow between the hand-held applicator wand and the collection canister. The vacuum source also creates a flow from a container containing the liquid topical solution to the skin abrading brush. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215069 | Endoscopic tissue apposition device with multiple suction ports - The present invention relates to an improved endoscopic tissue apposition device having multiple suction ports. The invention permits multiple folds of tissue to be captured in the suction ports with a single positioning of the device and attached together by a tissue securement mechanism such as a suture, staple or other form of tissue bonding. The improvement reduces the number of intubations required during an endoscopic procedure to suture tissue or join areas of tissue together. The suction ports may be arranged in a variety of configurations on the apposition device to best suit the desired resulting tissue orientation. The inventive tissue apposition device may also incorporate tissue abrasion means to activate the healing process on surfaces of tissue areas that are to be joined by operation of the device to promote a more secure attachment by permanent tissue bonding. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215070 | System and Method for Tensioning a Suture - The present invention provides a novel forceps for use in suturing. The forceps include a pulley or pulley-like feature that provides an advantageous mechanism for putting tension on a suture. In certain embodiments, the pulley or pulley-like device can measure or set the tension applied to a suture. Use of the forceps is especially advantageous in endoscopic or robot assisted surgeries. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215071 | Implantable Prosthesis for Repairing Hernia Defects - An implantable prosthesis for repairing hernia defects comprises a basic structure ( | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215072 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR UTILIZATION OF BARBED SUTURES IN HUMAN TISSUE INCLUDING A METHOD FOR ELIMINATING OR IMPROVING BLOOD FLOW IN VEINS - A method and apparatus for eliminating or improving blood flow within incompetent veins to correct venous insufficiency using a barbed bidirectional suture with predetermined breaking point. Said suture may also be utilized for other tissue applications. A two-way barb suture is placed in an insertion device comprised of a tubular body with or without a pointed distal tip. The inserting device and one-way or two-way suture are placed in a position to effectively close off the vein or leave a device within the vein. The insertion device is then withdrawn leaving the suture in place. This barbed suture with predetermined breaking point is used by the method of the present invention to prevent reflux, and as a method to join body tissue, attach dissimilar body tissues, attach devices to body tissues, and alter the position of body tissues by remote percutaneous access with the assistance of ultrasound or fluoroscopy and with the assistance of endoscopic devices. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215073 | TISSUE CONSTRUCT-FORMING SUBSTRATE, TISSUE CONSTRUCT-FORMING KIT, METHOD FOR FORMING TISSUE CONSTRUCT USING THE SAME AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL TISSUE CONSTRUCT FORMED BY THE METHOD - The present invention provides a tissue construct-forming substrate for forming a three-dimensional tissue construct containing proliferating cells, the substrate including a porous film having through-holes, and the porous film having, on the surface of the film, a cell adhesive region capable of retaining cells and a cell non-adhesive region located at a peripheral region of the cell adhesive region, a tissue construct-forming kit comprising the above-mentioned tissue construct-forming substrate and a frame, and a method for forming the above-mentioned tissue construct. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215074 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTERNAL STABILIZATION OF THE HEART - The present disclosure is directed to an external cardiac basal annuloplasty system (ECBAS or BACE-System: basal annuloplasty of the cardia externally) and methods for treatment of regurgitation of mitral and tricuspid valves. The BACE-System provides the ability to correct leakage of regurgitation of the valves with or without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, particularly when the condition is related to dilation of the base of the heart. This ECBAS invention can be applied to the base of the heart epicardially, either to prevent further dilation or to actively reduce the size of the base of the heart. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215075 | IMPLANTABLE COIL FOR INSERTION INTO A HOLLOW BODY ORGAN - An implant for placement within a hollow body organ including a member having an undeployed shape for delivery to the hollow body and a deployed shape for implantation therein. The member has a plurality of links pivotably connected to each other, and a flexible elongated tether connected to the member such that tensioning the tether places the member in the deployed shape. The member has sufficient rigidity in its deployed shape to exert an outward force against an interior of the hollow body so as to bring together two substantially opposing surfaces of the hollow body. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215076 | GASTRO-INTESTINAL THERAPEUTIC DEVICE AND METHOD - A gastro-intestinal therapeutic device and method includes providing a therapeutic device having a body and an anchoring mechanism. The anchoring mechanism is adapted to resist distal migration of said body in a gastro-intestinal tract. The body is generally configured to a portion of the gastro-intestinal tract and has a first wall portion and a second wall portion. The first wall portion defines a generally sealed membrane. The second wall portion has a scar-forming agent. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215077 | Systems, methods and devices for removing obstructions from a blood vessel - Devices and methods for removing an obstruction from a blood vessel are described. The devices are deployed in a collapsed condition and are then expanded within the body. The devices are then manipulated to engage and remove the obstruction. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215078 | SURGICAL BLADE AND TROCAR SYSTEM - The present invention provides an improved surgical blade and trocar system for accessing the retina and other parts of the eye while doing vitreo-retinal and cataract surgeries, including surgeries for macular degeneration. The eye surgeon uses an improved surgical blade for vitreo-retinal and cataract surgeries having a generally flat, V-shaped, W-shaped, or “extended W” shaped cross-section. Using the improved surgical blade, the surgeon creates a multi-planar, self-sealing surgical wound, first by directing the surgical blade substantially perpendicular to the eye surface, then redirecting the blade to follow the general curvature of the eye globe, and finally redirecting the blade to enter the interior of the eye. The improved surgical blade is used with an improved trocar system having two main parts-a relatively rigid, wide-mouthed outer segment and a generally thin-walled, collapsible plastic polymer or metal mesh sleeve that spans the surgical wound and substantially molds to its contour. The improved surgical blade and trocar system can be adapted for use in either vitreo-retinal or cataract surgeries. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215079 | Intraoperative Membrane Cutting Tool - A tool for forming a predetermined shaped and sized piece of tissue membrane from a sheet of surgically implantable tissue membrane comprising a body having a cutting portion configured to engage and to form a piece from a sheet of tissue membrane and a drive portion configured to apply a force to the cutting portion to form the piece of tissue membrane. The shapes and sizes of the cutting portions include those typically used in medical procedures. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215080 | Method for Prolonging the Action on Acupuncture Points Including for Reducing the Excessive Body Weight and for Correcting the Body, a Device and a Needle (Variants) for Carrying Out Said Method - The invention relates to medicine, in particular to acupuncture reflexotherapy. The inventive method consists in introducing a needle provided with a volume, plate or annular-shaped head into one of the predetermined, for example, auricular acupuncture points of a patient, wherein taking it through under the skin, the needle free end is withdrawn from the other predetermined point and a detachable retainer having plate or volume shape is secured thereon. The retainer can also be designed non-detachable and be formed by a bended free end of the needle rod. A required rate of lowering an excessive body weight is provided by exposure the zones of the indicated points to the head and/or retainer weight, or/and by changing a contact area thereof with the indicated points, and/or by a progradient correlation of intensity of the action on these points. In order to enhance the effect, pins and suspension members are used on the head and/or the retainer, as well as a contoured and/or wave-shaped surface of the needle rod. The proposed method and the needle design allow for a more efficient action on the selected acupuncture points, thereby significantly reducing the patient's excessive body weight or treating his or her diseases. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215081 | Expansion mechanism for minimally invasive lumbar operation - An expansion mechanism for minimally invasive lumbar operation has a support member, a plurality of sliders movably assembled on the support member, at least a couple of outside muscle hook members mounted on adjacent sliders, an inside muscle hook member assembled on the slider, and a nerve hook member assembled on the slider. The expansion mechanism for minimally invasive operation makes small suture and hurts less tissues. Furthermore, the expansion mechanism protects nerve tissues from repeated stirring. Muscles can be drawn apart without the need of removing ligament, obtaining clear and large operation vision. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215082 | Method for treating obstructed paranasal sphenoid sinuses - A set of sinus balloon catheters are provided for treating a patient's paranasal sphenoid sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities. These include a balloon catheter with a bend placing a distal segment at 90 degrees to a proximal segment and a balloon catheter which is substantially straight. The catheters have sufficient stiffness and column strength that the balloon carrying distal segment of the catheter can be pushed into the prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, or sinus to be excised. The catheters have appropriate inflated working diameters and appropriate outer diameters with the balloon deflated that will enable the catheter to be pushed into the respective prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, or sinus cavity to be excised. The methods use the balloon catheters to dilate prepared openings to selected parts of the sinus system, to dilate natural ostia and ducts of the sinus system, and/or to dilate sinus cavities to remove them. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215083 | Method for treating obstructed paranasal maxillary sinuses - A set of sinus balloon catheters are provided for treating a patient's paranasal sinus system, including dilating prepared openings, and natural ostia and ducts and excising sinus cavities. These include a balloon catheter with a bend placing a distal segment at 90 degrees to a proximal segment and a balloon catheter which is substantially straight. The catheters have sufficient stiffness and column strength that the balloon carrying distal segment of the catheter can be pushed into the prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, or sinus to be excised. The catheters have appropriate inflated working diameters and appropriate outer diameters with the balloon deflated that will enable the catheter to be pushed into the respective prepared opening, natural ostium or duct, or sinus cavity to be excised. The methods use the balloon catheters to dilate prepared openings to selected parts of the sinus system, to dilate natural ostia and ducts of the sinus system, and/or to dilate sinus cavities to remove them. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215084 | DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR EMBOLIC FILTER DEVICES - A delivery system for an expandable filter device includes a dual lumen delivery sheath which has a lumen for receiving the expandable filter device and a lumen for receiving a primary guide wire. The primary guide wire is utilized to place the delivery sheath and expandable filter into the desired region of the patient's vasculature via an over-the-wire or rapid-exchange arrangement. The delivery sheath can be protracted over the expandable filter device to allow the filter to be deployed within the patient's vasculature at the desired location. The delivery system can be embodied in an alternative design in which the primary guide wire extends through a guide wire lumen located in an obturator which forms part of the expandable filter device. Again, the primary guide wire is utilized to maneuver the filter device into the desired area via an over-the-wire arrangement. A slit extending longitudinally along the length of the sheath facilitates the removal of the guide wire and delivery sheath from the patient's vasculature. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215085 | Compliant Electrode for Patent Foramen Ovale Closure Device - A medical device for use in delivering RF energy to a tissue opening is disclosed. In one embodiment, the medical device comprises a compliant electrode. The compliant electrode can include a shape memory material, such as NITINOL, to facilitate the electrode having at least one relaxed orientation. The electrode can be deployed from a delivery shaft inside the left atrium, for example, of a heart through the delivery shaft. The electrode can be configured to substantially conform to the tissue proximate the tissue opening. After energy is applied to the tissue between the left and right electrodes, the left electrode can be removed from the left atrium by being received back into the delivery shaft and the delivery shaft thereafter removed from the opening. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215086 | SINGLE DISC INTRALUMINAL FIXATION PATENT FORAMEN OVALE CLOSURE DEVICE - A device and method for deploying a mechanical closure device for closing a passageway in a body, for example a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a heart. The single disc mechanical closure device is comprise of a distal and proximal anchor constrained by a closure line to facilitate mechanical closure by bringing the distal and proximal anchors into close proximity along the closure line. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215087 | BODILY LUMEN CLOSURE APPARATUS AND METHOD - An absorbable and expandable closure member used to occlude or exclude a body lumen or cavity, such as a blood vessel, fallopian tube, duct, aneurysmal sac, etc., comprising a closure member comprising one of more sheets of a biomaterial that are rolled, stacked, or folded to form a multilayer construct of a generally cylindrical configuration for deployment through a delivery system, either as a singularly or part of a multiplicity of closure members. The biomaterial is derived from a source material, such as small intestinal submucosa or another remodelable material (e.g., an extracellular matrix) having properties for stimulating ingrowth of adjacent tissue into the biomaterial deployed within the bodily lumen. The closure member is deployed to the bodily lumen from a delivery sheath, cartridge, and/or over a inner guiding member, such as a wire guide or catheter. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215088 | Systems, Methods, and compositions for achieving closure of suture sites - Systems and methods employ functional instruments to close incisions and wounds using a suture knot in combination with a biocompatible material composition. The systems and methods are well suited for use, for example, at a vascular puncture site following a vascular access procedure. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215089 | Stomach wall closure devices - In a method for sealing an incision in an interior body wall such as a gastrotomy opening in a stomach, a closure device is positioned within the incision. The closure device includes a seal and an anchor coupled to the seal. The seal is positioned in sealing contact against a first surface of the body wall, and the anchor is positioned against the second surface of the body wall such that a portion of the closure device is positioned. The closure device seals the incision while healing takes place. Once the incision is significantly healed, the closure device bioerodes. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215090 | Method and System for Tissue Fastening - Fastening devices are provided that are designed to effectively close tissue as well as instruments for applying the inventive fastening devices. The devices are useful for closing tissue such as mucosa in the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, laryngeal surfaces, oronasopharynx, or other mucosal tissues. In particular, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), uvulopalatal flap (UPF) technique, and tonsillectomy can be assisted using the inventive system. Embodiments also provide methods of using the fastening devices and/or instruments, and kits including the fastening devices. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215091 | GRAFT FIXATION USING A PLUG AGAINST SUTURE - A method for securing soft tissue to bone which does not require the surgeon to tie suture knots to secure the tissue to the bone. Suture is passed through the graft at desired points. A cannulated plug or screw is pre-loaded onto the distal end of a driver provided with an eyelet implant at its distal end. Suture attached to the graft is passed through the eyelet of the implant located at the distal end of the driver. The distal end of the driver together with the eyelet implant is inserted into the bone. Tension is applied to the suture to position the graft at the desired location relative to the bone. The screw or plug is advanced into the pilot hole by turning the interference screw or tapping the plug until the cannulated screw or plug securely engages and locks in the eyelet implant, so that the cannulated plug or screw with the engaged eyelet implant is flush with the bone. Once the screw or plug is fully inserted and the suture is impacted into the bone, the driver is removed and any loose ends of the sutures protruding from the anchor site are then clipped short. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215092 | Pacifier Coupling System - A two-piece joint designed to allow a one-piece silicone pacifier to be removably attached to an appealing stuffed toy, soothing blanket, or other article that might be attractive to an infant. One section of the joint includes the back of the pacifier, and the second section of the joint is made as a receiver that accepts the male joint members and permit the pacifier to be semi-permanently attached to the toy. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215093 | Degradable Cage Coated With Mineral Layers For Spinal Interbody Fusion - A cage for facilitating fusion of bones, such as vertebrae, or fusion of adjacent bone surfaces is disclosed. In one form, the cage includes a plurality of spaced apart walls comprising a biodegradable polymeric material (e.g., polycaprolactone); an osteoconductive mineral coating (e.g., a calcium compound) on at least a portion of the walls; and a bioactive agent (e.g., a bone morphogenetic protein) associated with the polymeric material and/or the coating. The bioactive agent is present in amount that induces ossification between the bones or adjacent bone surfaces. The cage may also include a fixation plate connected to at least one of the walls. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215094 | Equipment for Surgical Treatment of Two Vertebrae - The equipment ( | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215095 | STABILIZATION DEVICE FOR STABILIZING BONES OF A VERTEBRA AND ROD CONNECTOR USED THEREFOR - A stabilization device for stabilizing bones of a vertebra includes a first rod, a second rod, a rod connector connecting the first rod and the second rod, the rod connector comprising a receiving portion for receiving the first rod and a fixation element for fixing the first rod in the receiving portion, wherein in the receiving portion a rod contacting surface is provided and wherein the contour of this rod contacting surface has deviations from the contour of the surface of the first rod. The rod connector allows to connect a flexible rod, for example made of an elastomer material, with a rigid rod, made for example of a metal. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215096 | Devices to Stabilise the Lamina - A surgical implant device for stabilising a lamina of the spine following a procedure in which a cut is made in the lamina to form two lamina portions. The device has a longitudinally extending spacer component | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215097 | Active Compression Orthopedic Plate System and Method for Using the Same - An active compression orthopedic plate includes a first and a second end cross member, at least one longitudinal member slideably coupling the first and second end cross member, and at least one compressive member configured to exert a compressive force on the first and second end cross members. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215098 | POROUS IMPLANT - An implant comprising a shaped body having a first region with a mean porosity P | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215099 | Orthodontic bone screw - A mechanism for separating the driver tip ( | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215100 | BONE ANCHORING DEVICE - A bone anchoring device includes an anchoring element having a shank to be anchored in a bone or a vertebra, a receiving part connected to the shank the receiving part having a first end opposite to the shank and a second end facing the shank, a longitudinal axis passing through the two ends, a bore coaxial with the longitudinal axis extending from the first end through at least a portion of the receiving part and a substantially U-shaped recess for receiving a rod The U-shaped recess forms two free legs extending in the direction of the first end, the legs are provided with an internal thread. A locking device for securing the rod in the receiving part is provided which includes an external thread cooperating with the internal thread. An engagement structure is provided at the circumference of least a part of the outer surface projecting above the first end of the receiving part, the structure being engageable with a tool in a form-fit manner and wherein a maximum outer diameter of said first locking member in the region of said structure is larger than the inner diameter of the internal thread of the receiving part. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215101 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING MEDICAL CONDITIONS BY STIMULATION OF MEDIAL THALAMIC REGION - A system for treating medical conditions by neuromodulation of one or more target sites in the nervous system. In certain embodiments, at least one of the target sites is the medial thalamic region, including the intralaminar nucleus and the adjacent white and grey matter. In certain embodiments, where there is more than one target site, the other target sites is elsewhere in the nervous system, including the globus pallidus interna, subthalamic nucleus, corpus callosum, cerebellum, cerebral cortex (including the premotor cortex, motor cortex, and sensory cortex), ventral striatum, lateral thalamus, substantia nigra, and pedunculopontine nuclei. The medical conditions include movement disorders or improvement of movement function, stroke, neuropsychiatric or neuropsychologic disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and pain. Methods for treating medical conditions by neuromodulation of the intralaminar nuclei either alone or in combination with another target site(s) is also provided. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215102 | Method and system aiding decision making during CPR - An embodiment of the invention is a method for recommending actions to be taken during resuscitation of a patient. Input signals related to the resuscitation are received during the resuscitation. The input signals are processed to generate output signals based on the input signals and predetermined criteria. The output signals are representative of the actions to be taken and are provided for further action. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215103 | Aed Having Mandatory Pause for Administrating Cpr - A system and method are described for delivering electrotherapy to a patient that includes delivering electrotherapy to defibrillate the patient and providing at least one non-interruptible time period for administration of CPR prior to entering a monitor mode during which a patent cardiac signal is monitored for indication of a shockable rhythm. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215104 | Apparatus and method for temporary treatment of acute heart failure decompensation - A system for providing temporary therapy, such as cardiac resynchronization therapy, to a patient suffering a decompensation event. The system can include a device having an external module for generating electrical stimuli, a first lead coupled to the module and implanted into an atrial region of a patient's heart, and a second lead coupled to the module and implanted into a ventricular region of the patient's heart. The device can also include a storage module coupled to the external module to store data associated with physiological data measured by the device. The external module is configured to temporarily generate electrical stimuli that are delivered by at least one of the first and second leads to provide therapy cardiac resynchronization therapy to the heart. A network can be coupled to the device to allow data stored in the device to be downloaded through the network to a central repository. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215105 | CONTROLLED DELIVERY OF INTERMITTENT STRESS AUGMENTATION PACING FOR CARDIOPROTECTIVE EFFECT - A device and method for delivering electrical stimulation to the heart in a manner which provides a protective effect against subsequent ischemia is disclosed. The protective effect is produced by configuring a cardiac pacing device to intermittently switch from a normal operating mode to a stress augmentation mode in which the spatial pattern of depolarization is varied to thereby subject a particular region or regions of the ventricular myocardium to increased mechanical stress. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215106 | Thoracoscopically implantable diaphragm stimulator - A diaphragm stimulator is provided to treat one or more diseases disorders or conditions where the stimulator is configured to be implanted by way of a thoracoscopic approach to the diaphragm. The stimulator may include sensors positioned within the thorax. The stimulator may also include or be used with a cardiac rhythm management device. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215107 | CARDIAC PACING SYSTEM, BLOOD PRESSURE REGULATING SYSTEM, AND CARDIAC DISEASE TREATMENT SYSTEM BY SUBSTITUTING NATIVE BIOLOGICAL REGULATORY FUNCTION - A medical treating system based on biological activities characterized by biological activity sensing means for sensing biological activity information produced by biological activities and outputting a biological activity signal, calculating means for receiving, analyzing, and processing the biological activity signals from the biological activity sensing means, calculating an organism stimulation signal, and outputting the organism stimulation signal, and organism stimulating means for receiving the organism stimulation signal calculated by the calculating means and stimulating an organism according to the organism stimulation signal. A cardiac pacing system based on the treating system, a blood pressure regulating system, and a cardiac disease treating system are also disclosed. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215108 | Cardiac rhythm management system for edema - A cardiac rhythm management system detects edema. In response to an episode of detected edema, it initiates or adjusts a cardiac resynchronization therapy and/or a cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) therapy. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215109 | Cardiac rhythm management system with prevention of double counting of events - A cardiac rhythm management system recognizes patterns of interval durations, distinguishing between events in different heart chambers even though signals associated with those different heart chambers are processed using a commonly shared sensing circuit. A therapy delivery algorithm ignores intervals between cardiac events occurring in different heart chambers when determining a cardiac rate upon which the delivery of therapy is based. This reduces the risk of inappropriate delivery of therapy to the patient. Delayed conduction left ventricular beats are not erroneously recognized as a subsequent right ventricular beat, preventing such short intervals from inappropriately triggering a defibrillation countershock. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215110 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING LEAD-RELATED CONDITIONS USING PREDICTION AND DETECTION CRITERIA - A method for delivering therapy in a medical device that includes a two-tiered approach of determining the presence of a lead-related condition, and determining, in response to a lead-related condition being present, the presence of oversensing. Deliver of therapy by the medical device is controlled in response to determining that both the lead-related condition and oversensing are present. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215111 | Devices and Methods for Cardiovascular Reflex Control - Devices, systems and methods are described which control blood pressure, nervous system activity, and neurohormonal activity by activating baroreceptors. By selectively and controllably activating baroreceptors, the present invention reduces excessive blood pressure, sympathetic nervous system activity and neurohormonal activity, thereby minimizing their deleterious effects on the heart, vasculature and other organs and tissues. A baroreceptor activation device is positioned near a low-pressure baroreceptor, preferably in the venous system, heart, or pulmonary vasculature. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215112 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EFFECTUATING A LASTING CHANGE IN A NEURAL-FUNCTION OF A PATIENT - The following disclosure describes several methods and apparatus for intracranial electrical stimulation to treat or otherwise effectuate a change in neural-functions of a patient. Several embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention are directed toward enhancing or otherwise inducing a lasting change in neural activity to effectuate a particular neural-function. Such lasting change in neural activity is defined as “neuroplasticity.” The methods in accordance with the invention can be used to treat brain damage (e.g., stroke, trauma, etc.), brain disease (e.g., Alzheimer's, Pick's, Parkinson's, etc.), and/or brain disorders (e.g., epilepsy, depression, etc.). The methods in accordance with the invention can also be used to enhance neural-function of normal, healthy brains (e.g., learning, memory, etc.), or to control sensory functions (e.g., pain). Certain embodiments of methods in accordance with the invention electrically stimulate the brain at a stimulation site where neuroplasticity is occurring. The stimulation site may be different than the region in the brain where neural activity is typically present to perform the particular neural function according to the functional organization of the brain. In one embodiment in which neuroplasticity related to the neural-function occurs in the brain, the method can include identifying the location where such neuroplasticity is present. In an alternative embodiment in which neuroplasticity is not occurring in the brain, an alternative aspect is to induce neuroplasticity at a stimulation site where it is expected to occur. Several embodiments of these methods that are expected to produce a lasting effect on the intended neural activity at the stimulation site use electrical pulses that increase the resting membrane potential of neurons at the stimulation site to a subthreshold level. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215113 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NEURAL STIMULATION - In an inventive method of performing transcutaneous electrical neural stimulation on a human patient, first and second input electrodes are secured over left and right trapezius muscle regions of the patient. Third and fourth input electrodes are secured over left and right posterior cervical and suboccipital muscle regions of the patient. Fifth and sixth input electrodes are secured over left and right preauricular areas of the patient. A first electrical current is supplied to each of the first and second electrodes. A second electrical current is supplied to each of the third and fourth electrodes. A third electrical current is supplied to each of the fifth and sixth electrodes. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215114 | Apparatus And Method For The Cardio-Synchronized Stimulation Of Skeletal Or Smooth Muscles - An apparatus for the cardio-synchronised stimulation of skeletal or smooth muscle, but excluding the heart muscles, in a counterpulsation mode of a patient having a heart and a cardiovascular system. The apparatus comprises at least one active electrode ( | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215115 | RF Diathermy and Faradic Muscle Stimulation Treatment - An RF diathermy coil assembly, including a generally elastically deformable patient conforming garment and a conductive coil secured to the garment. The conductive coil having a woven wire construction such that the coil can deform as the garment elastically deforms. The RF diathermy coil assembly can be used for wound healing in conjunction with muscle stimulation. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215116 | REGULATION OF FIBROBLASTIC GROWTH FACTOR-2 (FGF-2) GENE EXPRESSION IN LIVING CELLS WITH THE APPLICATION OF SPECIFIC AND SELECTIVE ELECTRIC AND ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS - Methods and devices are described for the regulation of Fibroblastic Growth Factor-2 mRNA and/or FGF-2 protein in bone cells and other tissues via capacitive coupling or inductive coupling of specific and selective electric and/or electromagnetic fields to the bone cells or other tissues, where the specific and selective fields are generated by application of specific and selective signals to electrodes or one or more coils or other field generating device disposed with respect to the bone cells or other tissues so as to facilitate the treatment of diseased or injured bone and other tissues. By gene expression is meant the up-regulation or down-regulation of the process whereby specific portions (genes) of the human genome (DNA) are transcribed into mRNA and subsequently translated into protein. Methods and devices are provided for the targeted treatment of injured or diseased bone and other tissue that include generating specific and selective signals that generate electric and/or electromagnetic fields in the target tissue optimized for increase of FGF-2 protein gene expression and exposing bone and other tissue to the fields generated by specific and selective signals so as to regulate FGF-2 protein gene expression in such tissue. The resulting methods and devices are useful for the targeted treatment of osteoporosis, osteopenia, osteonecrosis, fresh bone fractures, fractures at risk, nonunion, bone defects, spine fusion, and/or other conditions in which FGF-2 protein has been implicated. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215117 | Electrical Stimulation of Blood Vessels - Apparatus ( | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215118 | User interface with toolbar for programming electrical stimulation therapy - The disclosure is directed to a user interface with a menu that facilitates stimulation therapy programming. The user interface displays a representation of the electrical leads implanted in the patient and at least one menu with icons that the user can use to adjust the stimulation therapy. The user may drag one or more field shapes from a field shape selection menu onto the desired location relative to the electrical leads. A manipulation tool menu may also allow the user to adjust the field shapes placed on the electrical leads, which represent the stimulation region. The programmer that includes the user interface then generates electrical stimulation parameter values for the stimulator to deliver stimulation according to the field shapes or field shape groups defined/located by the user. The field shapes may represent different types of stimulation representations, such as current density, activation functions, and neuron models. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215119 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING STIMULATION FIELD GENERATED BY ELECTRODE ARRAY - An implantable pulse generator includes a current steering capability that allows a clinician or patient to quickly determine a desired electrode stimulation pattern, including which electrodes of a group of electrodes within an electrode array should receive a stimulation current, including the amplitude, width and pulse repetition rate of such current. Movement of the selected group of electrodes is facilitated through the use of remotely generated directional signals, generated by a pointing device, such as a joystick. As movement of the selected group of electrodes occurs, current redistribution amongst the various electrode contacts takes place. The redistribution of stimulus amplitudes utilizes re-normalization of amplitudes so that the perceptual level remains fairly constant. This prevents the resulting paresthesia from falling below the perceptual threshold or above the comfort threshold. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215120 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WIRELESS PROCESSING, STORAGE, AND FORWARDING OF MEDICAL DATA - One method according to the present invention includes receiving data wirelessly from a medical device, storing the data, transmitting the data to an intermediary device (such as a properly equipped mobile telephone or personal digital assistant), and formatting a message including the received data for transmission to a medical data server. This method can be practiced automatically to allow a medical device for a patient or other subject to be monitored without requiring the patient to manually enter information. This method allows the data to be stored for any desired length of time, and/or until a particular event occurs. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215121 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RF WAKE-UP OF IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A telemetry system is presented for enabling radio-frequency (RF) communications between an implantable medical device and an external device in a manner which reduces the power requirements of the implantable device by duty cycling its RF circuitry. A wakeup scheme for the implantable device is provided in which the external device transmits a data segment containing a repeating sequence of special wakeup characters in order to establish a communications session with the implantable device. The wakeup scheme may be designed to operate in the context of a handshaking protocol for collision avoidance. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215122 | PLASMONIC ENGINEERING OF SINGLET OXYGEN AND/OR SUPEROXIDE GENERATION - The present invention provides for a method to increase the triplet yield of a photosensitizer by the coupling to metal surface plasmons which leads to increased singlet oxygen generation by electric field enhancement or enhanced energy absorption of the photosensitizer. The extent of singlet oxygen enhancement can be tuned for applications in singlet oxygen based clinical therapy by modifying plasmon coupling parameters, such as metallic nanoparticle size and shape, photosensitizer/metallic nanoparticle distance, and the excitation wavelength of the coupling photosensitizer. | 2008-09-04 |
| 20080215123 | Laser Therapy Device For Animals - The present invention provides for a laser therapy device for animals and methods of manufacturing and using the same. In one embodiment, the animal therapy device is comprised of (i) a hairbrush body housing a plurality of laser emitting devices configured to project a precision laser light pattern at a focal plane proximate an area to be irradiated; and (ii) bristles extending from the hairbrush body and terminating substantially at the focal plane. Laser light is used to treat different portions of the animal body. At least one of the plurality of laser emitting devices being terminated with a collimated lens to provide a focused laser beam. The collimated lens may be covered with a diffuser cover to produce an enlarged substantially circular shaped laser, or an optical lens to produce one of a cross shape and a line. | 2008-09-04 |
