45th week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 43 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20080275430 | Prolonged Transit Time of Permeability-Enhancing Drug Eluting Pill - Apparatus is provided for drug administration. The apparatus includes an ingestible capsule, which includes a drug, stored by the capsule. The apparatus also includes an environmentally-sensitive mechanism, adapted to change a state thereof responsively to a disposition of the capsule within a gastrointestinal (GI) tract of a subject; one or more drug-passage facilitation electrodes; and a control component, adapted to facilitate passage of the drug, in response to a change of state of the environmentally-sensitive mechanism, by driving the drug-passage facilitation electrodes to apply an electrical current. The apparatus further includes a velocity-reduction element adapted to reduce a velocity of the capsule through the GI tract for at least a portion of the time that the control component is facilitating the passage of the drug. Additional embodiments are also described. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275431 | Anchor Assembly and Method of Use - The present teachings provide a flexible member securing assembly. The flexible member securing assembly includes a shaft, an arm extendable from the shaft, an anchor, and a flexible member grasper formed on a distal end of the arm. Methods of securing a flexible member are also provided. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275432 | Photodynamic foam composition and sclerosis treatment - A photodynamic composition and a method for in vivo photonic treatments that is minimally invasive, versatile and precise are described. The invention allows for photonic treatments with only minimal insertions into the area of treatment, often a single one. The invention may be used with a standard insertion component making the system inexpensive and easy for doctors to use. The invention has applications in several areas of treatment. In vivo treatment of aesthetic skin blemishes such as varicose veins can be performed with minimal external effects. A predetermined amount of a photodynamic composition, as a foam, is injected into the vein or structure of concern. The composition is a sclerosis foam including a photosensitizer. By external compression, where applicable, the photodynamic composition is forced to remain in the vein or structure. After a predetermined time, radiation of appropriate wavelength from a light source is delivered directly to the vascular structure. Among the key benefits of the present invention are the elimination of targeted varicose veins, without need for anesthesia along the length of the vein; no edema; no skin reaction; and tactile appreciation. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275433 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING CUT SURFACES IN THE CORNEA OF AN EYE FOR CORRECTION OF AMETROPIA - An apparatus for generating cut surfaces in the cornea of an eye in order to correct ametropia is provided, said apparatus comprising a laser unit, which can focus pulsed laser radiation into the cornea and move it therein in order to generate cut surfaces, and a control unit, which controls the laser unit for generating cut surfaces such that a predetermined lenticle to be removed is separated from the surrounding corneal material in the cornea by at least one cut surface, and that at least two mutually spaced apart cut surfaces are formed as opening cuts, each extending from the lenticle to the anterior corneal surface, the position and shape of the opening cuts being selected such that the opening cuts contribute to the correction of the ametropia of the eye or do not counteract the correction of the ametropia of the eye. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275434 | Corneal Topography-Based Target Warping System - Systems and methods for treating a tissue of an eye with a laser beam include at least one processor that determines angles between a curved surface and a laser beam, controlling an ablative treatment in response to the angles. Angles between a surface of a cornea and a laser beam may be mapped over a treatment area. A mapped area may include an apex of a cornea displaced from a center of a pupil of an eye. Ablation properties may be determined locally in response to the incident angle of a laser beam with respect to a local slope of a tissue surface. The treatment area may be ablated using local ablation properties to form a desired surface shape. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275435 | Illuminated Laser Probe with Multiplied Area of Illumination - A microsurgical laser probe has a handle and a tubular tip that projects from the handle, and three optic fibers that extend through the handle and the tip. One of the optic fibers is a laser optic fiber that is adapted to be connected to a source of laser light at one end of the laser optic fiber, and to transmit the laser light from the opposite end of the laser optic fiber at the distal end of the instrument tip. The other two optic fibers are illumination light optic fibers. Each illumination light optic fiber has one end that is adapted to be connected to a illumination light source, and an opposite end that projects the illumination light from the distal end of the instrument tip. By providing two laser light optic fibers in the instrument, the amount of illumination directed to the surgical site being accessed by the laser optic fiber is effectively doubled. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275436 | Radiation Applicator and Method of Radiating Tissue - A radiation applicator ( | 2008-11-06 |
20080275437 | CONNECTOR DEVICE FOR ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY PROBE - A flexible connector for securing an ablation probe in a looped configuration around the pulmonary veins of a heart includes a flexible base member having first and second apertures dimensioned to receive the ablation probe and wherein the flexible base member is slidable along a length of the ablation probe when the ablation probe is positioned within the first and second apertures. The flexible base member further includes a third aperture dimensioned to receive a looped portion of the ablation probe. The flexible connector is advanced along the length of the ablation probe to form a crossover point with the returning portion of the ablation probe. A tether is secured to the flexible base member and is used to withdraw or remove the flexible connector. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275438 | Accordion style cable stand-off - A cable stand-off for use with an electrosurgical system includes an accordion body portion having a plurality of panels, and a plurality of hinges. Each panel has at least one hole formed therethrough. The holes of the plurality of panels are axially aligned with one another. The plurality of hinges couples adjacent panels to one another. In one embodiment, the hinges couple adjacent panels in a tip-to-tail fashion. The accordion body portion may be made of a flexible material. Each panels may further include at least one slot extending from a hole to an edge of the panel. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275439 | CARDIAC ABLATION AND ELECTRICAL INTERFACE SYSTEM AND INSTRUMENT - A system for ablating tissue and electrically interfacing with a heart including an electrosurgical instrument, an energy source, and a controller. The instrument includes a shaft maintaining first and second electrodes at a distal section. The electrodes are electrically isolated from one another. The controller controls delivery of energy from the energy source, and monitors electrical signals at the electrodes. The controller is programmed to operate in a monopolar mode and a bipolar mode. In the monopolar mode, the first and second electrodes are electrically uncoupled, and energy from the energy source is delivered to the first electrode in performing an ablation procedure. In the bipolar mode, first and second electrodes are electrically coupled and serve as opposite polarity poles to apply energy to a tissue target site, detect electrical signals at a tissue target site, or both. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275440 | Post-ablation verification of lesion size - This disclosure is directed to a method of providing feedback regarding the outcome of ablation therapy. Measuring one or more tissue properties after the ablation procedure may allow the clinician to verify the size of the lesion formed or other therapy results. In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward a method for providing feedback regarding the results of tissue ablation, the method comprising deploying one or more needles from a catheter into a target tissue, delivering energy via at least one of the one or more needles to ablate at least a portion of the target tissue to form a lesion, stopping energy delivery via the at least one of the one or more needles, and measuring a tissue property via at least one of the one or more needles after the energy delivery has been stopped. The measured tissue property may be temperature or impedance. Also, the measured tissue property may be used to determine a volume of the lesion formed by ablation therapy. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275441 | JAWED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT FITTED WITH AN ELECTRODE AND A CABLE - A jawed surgical instrument fitted at the distal end of a jaw head which is affixed at the distal end of a longitudinally elongated stem and which supports two mutually oppositely displaceable jaw parts, said jaw head being connectable by means of an actuation bar to one of two drive elements of a manipulating unit that are mutually oppositely displaceable in the stem direction, the other of said drive elements being connected to the stem, said jaw head comprising at least one electrode designed for tissue surgery and being electrically connected by means of the actuation bar to a cable issuing from said bar, the actuation bar and the jaw head being detachably connected to the manipulating unit characterized in that the actuation bar and the jaw head are detachably connected transversely to the stem direction or in the proximal direction parallel to the stem to the manipulating unit, and in that the electric cable is firmly affixed to the actuation bar. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275442 | Systems and Methods for Electrode Contact Assessment - Systems and methods are disclosed for assessing electrode-tissue contact for tissue ablation. An exemplary electrode contact sensing system comprises an electrode | 2008-11-06 |
20080275443 | ATRIAL ABLATION CATHETER ADAPTED FOR TREATMENT OF SEPTAL WALL ARRHYTHMOGENIC FOCI AND METHOD OF USE - An atrial ablation catheter with an electrode array particularly adapted to locate and ablate foci of arrhythmia which are required for sustained atrial fibrillation is provided. The array is easily deployed and retracted from the catheter, and presents a proximally oriented electrode array that can be pulled against the septal wall of the left atrium to engage the septal wall. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275444 | Endoscopic treatment instrument and tissue incision method - An endoscopic treatment instrument according to the present invention includes: a flexible catheter inserted through a channel in an endoscope; a conductive electrode capable of freely extending and retracting through the catheter; and an insulator extending a retracting together with the electrode relative to the catheter so that the insulator isolates not the distal end portion of the electrode but the rest of the electrode protruding from the catheter. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275445 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT ABLATION FOR TREATMENT OF OBESITY - Devices and methods for ablating tissue in the wall of various organs of the gastrointestinal tract of a patient in order to cure or ameliorate metabolic pathophysiological conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes mellitus are provided. Ablational treatment of target areas may be fractional or partial, rendering a post-treatment portion of target tissue ablated and another portion that is substantially intact. Fractional ablation is achieved by controlling the delivery of ablational energy across the surface area being treated, and controlling the depth of energy penetration into tissue. Surface area control of energy delivery may controlled by the spatial pattern of distributed ablation elements or by the selective activation of a subset of a dense pattern of ablation elements. Embodiments of the device include an ablational electrode array that spans 360 degrees and an array that spans an arc of less than 360 degrees. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275446 | TWO-PIECE JAW FOR BIPOLAR ABLATION DEVICE - A method and device for transmural ablation using an electrosurgical device having a pair of angled clamping jaws designed to be disassembled outside the patient and reassembled within the patient in a series of method steps. This disassemble and reassemble design of the electrosurgical device fits within the narrow gap between ribs of the patient, and offers unusual opportunities to work in difficult to access areas such as the thoracic cavity. Once the surgery has been performed, the electrosurgical device can be disassembled in the patient and removed one piece at a time, or removed as a unit. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275447 | Assembly for minimally invasive reduction of hip fracture - An assembly includes a holder having a first arm and a second arm, the holder being movable between a first configuration and a second configuration. The assembly further includes an actuator movable in relation to the holder between a first position and a second position. Movement of the actuator from the first position to the second position causes movement of the holder from the first configuration to the second configuration. The first arm has a first bone plate contact portion, and the second arm has a second bone plate contact portion. The first bone plate contact portion and the second bone plate contact portion are separated by a first distance when the holder is in the first configuration. The first bone plate contact portion and the second bone plate contact portion are separated by a second distance when the holder is in the second configuration. The first distance is greater than the second distance. The assembly further includes a bone plate having a plurality of fastener openings defined therein. The holder retains the bone plate between the first bone plate contact portion of the first arm and second bone plate contact portion of the second arm when the holder is positioned in the second configuration. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275448 | EXPANDABLE PROXIMAL REAMER - A reamer for reaming a portion of a long bone cavity for use in implanting a joint prosthesis. The reamer is used in cooperation with a portion of an orthopaedic implant component and includes an expandable body that is adapted to adjust between a plurality of diameters. A plurality of cutting edges are also included and extend outwardly from the body, the edges adapted for cooperation with bone, and the cutting edges expanding as the expandable body expands. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275449 | EXPANDABLE PROXIMAL REAMER - A reamer for reaming a portion of a long bone cavity for use in implanting a joint prosthesis. The reamer is used in cooperation with a portion of an orthopaedic implant component and includes an expandable body that is adapted to adjust between a plurality of diameters. A plurality of cutting edges are also included and extend outwardly from the body, the edges adapted for cooperation with bone, and the cutting edges expanding as the expandable body expands. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275450 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL DRIVER - A method of removing bone material including the steps of drivingly connecting a bone removal tool to an output shaft; and rotating a plurality of drive shafts in an open frame, one of the plurality of drive shafts being connected to the output shaft. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275451 | Distal femoral cutting guide - A device and a method for establishing a position and orientation for a preliminary saw cut in a distal end of a femur to prepare the femur for installation of a prosthetic knee joint. A guide block defining a cutting plane is carried on an adjustably positioned locating arm that is supported on an alignment body that can be mounted on a femur either with or without an intramedullary rod in place in the distal end of the femur. Adjustment screws and horizontal slots in the alignment body provide for varus/valgus angular adjustment of the position of the alignment body. An adjustment guide block may have a saw guiding face defining a differently oriented cutting plane. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275452 | Surgical Cutting Guide - The present invention is directed to a surgical cutting guide for guiding a surgical instrument along a cutting path located on a biological tissue. The surgical guide includes a contact surface that conforms to a surface associated with the tissue and at least one guide for restricting movement of a surgical instrument in a first direction and for allowing the movement of the surgical instrument in a second direction along a cutting path across the surface of the tissue. The guide further contains a stop for restricting movement of the surgical instrument in the second direction along the cutting path. The stop is based at least, in part, on patient specific information. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275453 | Method and Apparatus for Repairing Separations in the Capsular Labrum Structure - A method of repairing separations in the capsular labrum structure, in which the head of the humerus bone separates from the glenoid cavity of the glenoid, by: producing a first plurality of anchor points in an anterior face of the rim of the glenoid; producing a second plurality of anchor points in a corresponding anterior face of the neck of the glenoid; and utilizing the first and second plurality of anchor points for attaching the tendons to the glenoid. Also described is an apparatus for use in repairing separations in a capsular labrum structure including a drill guide having a proximal end formed with a handle, and a distal end formed with a surface configured for engaging a posterior face of the neck of the glenoid to properly fix the position of the drill guide with respect to the glenoid. The drill guide is formed with a passageway sized and configured for receiving a drill for drilling a bore through the neck of the glenoid, with the entry point of the drill at the posterior face of the glenoid neck, and the exit point of the drill at the anterior face of the glenoid neck slightly spaced from the glenoid rim. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275454 | Lumbar pedicular-facet fixation system and instrumentation - An implant and surgical system designed to guide and promote segmental instrumentation and stabilization through a pediculo-facet fixation technique. The implant varies in size, diameter and attachments for maximal fixation across this axis. A targeting device and surgical technique for placement of said implants through an open or minimally invasive approach is described. The combination of surgical technique, targeting device and low profile implants reduces associated morbidity associated with many fusion procedures. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275455 | Apparatus and Methods for Inserting an Implant - A system and method for inserting an implant into a cavity is disclosed, which may include advancing an implant insertion instrument toward a pair of adjacent bodies, the implant insertion instrument having two opposed ramps, wherein each ramp has a distal tip and wherein the longitudinal axes of the opposed ramps are separated by an initial angle; inserting the distal tips of the opposed ramps between the adjacent bodies, thereby creating an initial interbody cavity between the adjacent bodies; expanding the interbody cavity while maintaining the initial angle between the longitudinal axes of the opposed ramps; placing the implant in a final location between the adjacent bodies; transferring a compressive force urging the adjacent bodies together from the opposed ramps to the implant; and extracting the implant insertion instrument from the interbody cavity. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275456 | INSTALLATION SYSTEMS FOR SPINAL STABILIZATION SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS - A system for implantation of a spinal stabilization system includes a vertebral anchor having a top portion. The top portion has a perimeter and a first engaging element. The first engaging element has a first longitudinal axis that is generally parallel to a second longitudinal axis of the top portion. The perimeter extends around the second longitudinal axis. The system also includes a driving tool that has a second engaging element that is configured to cooperate with the first engaging element to substantially restrict rotation of the driving tool relative to the top portion about the second longitudinal axis. The first engaging element is configured to slidably receive the second engaging element in a direction along the first longitudinal axis, and the second engaging element is configured to extend substantially within the perimeter of the top portion. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275457 | ORTHOPEDIC TOOL FOR ALTERING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ORTHOPEDIC COMPONENTS - An orthopedic tool for loosening the connection between orthopedic components. In one embodiment, the orthopedic tool includes a housing and a wedge. The housing has a head, an upper portion, a lower portion, and an opening between the upper and lower portions. The wedge is positioned at least partially between the upper portion and the lower portion of the housing and is actuatable to move toward the head of the housing. When at least a portion of the head of the housing is placed in mating engagement with the junction between two assembled orthopedic components, advancement of the wedge towards the head results in separation of the upper portion and lower portion of the housing. Thus, as the wedge is advanced toward the head, the upper and lower portions of the housing are separated, which results in corresponding separation of the assembled orthopedic components. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275458 | GUIDEWIRE EXCHANGE SYSTEMS TO TREAT SPINAL STENOSIS - Guidewire exchange systems, devices and methods, for positioning and actuating surgical devices in a desired position between two tissues in a patient's body are described. A guidewire may be coupled to a surgical device for positioning and actuating (e.g., urging against a target tissue). The guidewire may be exchanged between different surgical devices during the same procedure, and the guidewire and surgical devices may be releaseably or permanently coupled. The surgical device generally includes one or more guidewire coupling members. A system may include a guidewire and a surgical device having a guidewire coupling member. Methods, devices and systems may be used in open, less-invasive or percutaneous surgical procedures. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275459 | Surgical instrument attachment mechanism - An instrument attachment mechanism is disclosed that is operable to be temporarily, but securely, connected with a surgical device. The attachment mechanism includes a body that has a drive member protruding outwardly from a portion of the body. The drive member includes a plurality of side walls and a passageway running from a bottom surface of the drive member to a predetermined depth in the drive member. At least one slot is located in a respective one of the plurality of side walls that extends through the side wall into the passageway. A biasing member is positioned within the passageway such that a select portion of the biasing member protrudes outwardly from the slot. A surgical device, such as a surgical instrument or implant, may be temporarily connected with the drive member such that the select portions of the biasing member apply force to an inner wall of a drive receiving member of the surgical device. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275460 | AIRWAY SUCTION SPOON - A suction catheter having a spoon-shaped distal end designed to assist manual removal of large airway occluding particles from the oropharynx and mouth opening to near the epiglottis of a patient by an emergency caregiver. The tip of the spoon-shaped distal end defines an ovular orifice of sufficient size to remove both viscous and non-viscous matter including particulate matter from the airway of the patient. The catheter includes an elongated hollow member for conveying the unwanted viscous and non-viscous matter and is flexible about a portion displaced from the spoon-like distal end and includes a flexible stylet member therein to permit bending of the catheter and causing it to retain its bent shape with the proximal end thereof away from the patient to allow the caregiver more freedom to provide care to the patient. An opening is provided in the catheter and communicates with the internal airway for use in controlling the amount of suction provided by the connection of the proximal end of the catheter to a vacuum source. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275461 | Capsular Ring - A capsular guide for conducting capsulorhexis in an eye has a guide ring adapted to be retaine against the capsular bag. In a first version the retaining element is at least one haptic. In another version the retaining element is a second ring flexibly attached to the first ring. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275462 | Intracorneal Lens Insertion System - An opthalmologic lens insertion device that holds a lens between a pair of leaf springs and has a plunger that moves between the leaf springs to eject the lens onto the cornea or into a corneal pocket. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275463 | CYSTOTOMY CATHETER CAPTURE DEVICE AND METHODS OF USING SAME - A catheter capture device comprising a urethral sound and a sleeve that utilizes balloon inflation to capture the catheter. A catheter capture device comprising a urethral sound and a clamshell device. The clamshell device comprises two halves, one of which comprises two pins. One pin passes through the lateral holes in the tip of the catheter, and the other pin fits into a notch in the bottom half of the clamshell device. A catheter capture device comprising a urethral sound, a sleeve and a pin that passes through the lateral holes in the tip of the catheter. A catheter capture device comprising a urethral sound, a wire and a nodule, wherein the nodule captures the catheter by lodging in the tip of the catheter. The nodule could be a ball, hook, crimped wire or similar object. A method of capturing a catheter in an obese or non-obese patient. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275464 | ARTICULATING RETRIEVAL DEVICE - Device and methods for removing a foreign object from a body lumen are disclosed. A retrieval device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an elongated member including a flexible collector element, and a core wire that can be engaged by the physician to actuate the collector element between a first position and a second position with the body. The collector element may comprise a coiled section including a coiled flat ribbon adapted to assume a substantially straight shape in the first position and an expanded shape forming one or more helically oriented loops in the second position. The collector element may also comprise one or more fibers operatively coupled to the coiled section. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275465 | Design of Handle Set for Ablation Catheter with Indicators of Catheter and Tissue Parameters - An electrode coupling output system provides indication to the physician, via electrode guidance instrumentation, concerning the electrical coupling of an electrode, such as an ablative or mapping electrode, with a patient. The output can be provided to the physician via an output device incorporated into the handle set of the electrode catheter. For example, a visual, audio or mechanical output can be provided via the handle set. Additionally or alternatively, the output can be provided to the physician via a navigation system. The indication may be provided by changing the color or other display characteristics of the electrode on the navigation system display or by way of providing a waveform indicating the electrode coupling. In this manner, electrode coupling information is provided to a physician in a manner that minimizes physician distraction. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275466 | Dual cannula system and method for using same - A cannula system and corresponding method for locating a tip of an elongate member (e.g., a catheter or other therapy delivery device) in a three-dimensional space such as a cranial cavity. One embodiment of the invention may utilize a secondary or device placement cannula that fits within a primary or guide cannula. The device placement cannula may have a length that is indexed relative to a length of a mapping member. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275467 | Intraoperative guidance for endovascular interventions via three-dimensional path planning, x-ray fluoroscopy, and image overlay - A method for planning a path for an endovascular intervention includes acquiring and displaying 3D angiographic images; selecting a target on the displayed images; extracting a skeleton of a vascular tree from the displayed images; extracting a symbolic vessel path to the target based on the skeleton of the vascular tree; and overlaying and displaying the symbolic vessel path on 2D fluoroscopic images for guiding the endovascular intervention. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275468 | SKIN PERMEATION DEVICE FOR ANALYTE SENSING OR TRANSDERMAL DRUG DELIVERY - Devices, systems, kits and methods for increasing the skin's permeability controlled by measured skin electrical parameter are described herein. They may be used for transdermal drug delivery and/or analyte extraction or measurement. The controlled abrasion device contains (i) a hand piece, (ii) an abrasive tip, (iii) a feedback control mechanism, (iv) two or more electrodes, and (v) an electrical motor. The feedback control mechanism may be an internal feedback control mechanism or an external feedback control. The kit contains the controlled abrasion-device, one or more abrasive tips, optionally with a wetting fluid. The method for increasing the skin's permeability requires applying the controlled abrasion device to a portion of the skin's surface for a short period of time, until the desired level of permeability is reached. Then the abrasion device is removed, and a drug delivery composition or device or an analyte sensor is applied to the treated site. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275469 | Tack anchor systems, bone anchor systems, and methods of use - Systems, apparatuses and methods for securing tissue to bone using tack anchors, bone anchoring systems are described. The tack anchor may include a body and a securing element. The body may include one or more compressible flanges, an opening and, a cavity. The cavity may include an opening near or proximate the flanges, and be configured to receive a suture. The securing element may be configured to slide into the opening of the body to secure a portion of one or more sutures in the cavity such that the ends of the sutures are accessible through the cavity opening. In some embodiments, tack anchor tool for insertion of a tack anchor into tissue and/or bone is described. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275470 | 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. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275471 | ENERGY STORED IN SPRING WITH CONTROLLED RELEASE - There is provided a surgical instrument including a handle having an elongated tubular member extending distally from the handle and one or more end effectors mounted on the distal end of the elongate tubular member. A driver is movably mounted within the handle and elongate tubular member in order to operate the end effectors. The surgical instrument includes an energy storage mechanism for storing and providing energy to move the driver and thereby actuate the surgical instrument. Various actuation mechanisms are disclosed which are operable on the energy storage mechanism to control the rate of release of the energy stored in the energy storage mechanism. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275472 | Assisted Apparatus for Anastomosis and Method Thereby of Reconnecting the Urethra to the Bladder After Removal of the Prostate During a Prostatectomy - An assisted anastomosis apparatus and a method thereby for reconnecting the urethral stump to the neck of the bladder after removal of the prostate during a prostatectomy, comprising two suture units, namely a urethral stump suturing unit ( | 2008-11-06 |
20080275473 | SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE GASTROINTESTINAL PROCEDURES - A surgical system for performing gastrointestinal procedures is disclosed. The system includes an elongated body defining an endoscope lumen. The body is adapted to be inserted into the esophagus with a proximal end extending from a body orifice. A working member includes at least one side disposed suction cavity and a cutting device configured to excise a surface layer from the tissue that is captured in the suction cavity. One or more needles are also provided in the working portion, which can be used to apply suture to the captured tissue and/or to inject fluid into the captured tissue prior to excision. Particular applications may be to treat Barrett's esophagus, to treat GERD, or for performing gastroplasty in the stomach. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275474 | SUTURE ANCHOR LOADER - A suture anchor loader comprises a housing with a port. A channel extends into the housing from the port, the channel being dimensioned to receive a surgical needle. A suture anchor is preloaded in the channel with a length of suture connected to the suture anchor and stored in the housing. A push rod is slideably positioned in the channel such that the suture anchor is intermediate the push rod and the port. An actuator is operatively connected to push rod to selectively deploy the anchor into the needle. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275475 | LOADER FOR KNOTTING ELEMENT - A device for loading a surgical knotting element on an applicator tool. One embodiment of the device includes a channel dimensioned to receive an applicator tool comprising a coupling. A surgical knotting element comprises a coupling complementary to the coupling of an applicator tool and a suture path. A carriage receives the surgical knotting element. The carriage is moveable in a transverse direction relative the channel between a first position where the knotting element is misaligned with the channel and a second position where the couplings are engaged with one another. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275476 | THREADER FOR KNOTTING ELEMENT - A device for threading suture into a surgical knotting element. In one embodiment the device comprises a knotting element having an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member, and a nonlinear suture path. A flexible suture guide has a proximal portion, a distal portion comprising a flared loop positioned outside the suture path, and a medial portion intermediate the proximal and distal portions, the medial portion being preloaded in the suture path. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275477 | Suture tensioning device - A device for tensioning suture which includes a cannulated tube that allows a suture to be fed through at least a portion of the tube. An adjustment device (for example, a wheel or a knob) is actuated to turn a threaded post on the end of the tube. A length of suture passes through at least a portion of the cannulated tube and is secured into a forked pin attached to the adjustment device. Turning the adjustment device draws against the suture, increasing therefore the tension on the suture. The suture tensioning device may be employed in conjunction with a tensiometer. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275478 | Motor-Operated Gastric Banding Device Or Gastric Ring Comprising At Least One Misaligned Receiving Antenna For Power Supply, Remote Control And Data Transmission By Means Of Induction - A motorized gastric ring or “AGM” including a motor acting on a diameter of the ring and actuated by induction toward an integrated receiving antenna from at least one outer transmitting antenna, wherein the ring includes at least one receiving antenna, the at least one antenna being disoriented relative to a plane extending through the gastric ring, and integrated electronics adapted to substantially optimally use energy received. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275479 | ANASTOMOTIC SEAL LOADING TOOL - Described herein are methods and devices for loading an anastomotic seal into a delivery lumen. A loading device can fold the seal into a configuration for insertion into the delivery lumen. For example, the loading device can fold the seal into a prolate spheroidal shape. The delivery lumen can then be inserted into the loading device and mated with the folded seal. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275480 | Vertically oriented band for stomach - An adjustable band or clamp or non-adjustable clamp is placed about the greater curvature of the stomach in a vertical orientation. The band or clamp completely compartmentalizes the stomach between a small vertical pouch and the fundus and body of the stomach. The fundus and body of the stomach are excluded from nutrients and are separated from a long narrow channel where the food travels. A small passage at the level of the antrum allows gastric juices to empty from the fundus and body of the stomach. The clamp may be applied during open surgery in laproscopic surgery or using a single port technique, or through any natural orifice in NOTES (Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic surgery) or using a hybrid surgical technique. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275481 | Ultrasound guided percutaneous cutting tool with gradations and adjustable stop ring - A surgical cutting instrument which has an ultrasonic reflective coating and gradations thereon is used in association with an adjustable stop ring on the surgical cutting instrument for internal surgical procedures guided by ultrasonic scanning. The surgical cutting instrument is inserted into the introducer and the stop ring stops the surgical cutting instrument at a desired protruding distance of the cutting instrument into the area of the surgical procedure. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275482 | Facial Lift - A facial lift device to be placed behind the lips and above the gums disposed alongside the buccal and facial surface of a living human maxilla or a human mandible no further than the most posterior tooth of one side to the most posterior tooth of the opposite side of said maxilla or mandible. The facial device embodies an outward lifting force when placed within the human mouth under the lips and alongside the anterior vestibule centered on the frenulum, such that when said facial lift device is forced behind the maxilla or mandible lips, the facial lift will forcibly lift out the dermal layer reducing and removing lower facial wrinkles within the perioral region. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275483 | Methods and Apparatus for Treating Disorders of the Ear Nose and Throat - Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, including methods and apparatus for dilating ostia, passageways and other anatomical structures, endoscopic methods and apparatus for endoscopic visualization of structures within the ear, nose, throat or paranasal sinuses, navigation devices for use in conjunction with image guidance or navigation system and hand held devices having pistol type grips and other handpieces. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275484 | Per Os Placement of Extragastric Devices - Methods and devices to externally create a restriction on the stomach are described. In some embodiments, the devices are contoured to fit the stomach and can be further anchored to the stomach. In further embodiments, the degree of deployment of the extragastric restriction device is controllable after implantation. In other embodiments, specialized wires, catheters, ports, and trocars specific for placement of extragastric restriction devices are presented. In still further embodiments, systems are described in which adjustability of the devices is provided along with sensing and actuating ability. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275485 | Guidewire with collapsible filter system and method of use - A guidewire with collapsible filter system and method of use where a deployable, collapsible and retrievable filter attached to a guidewire tube is utilized for filtering thrombotic particulate from blood flow in the vascular system during thrombectomy or other interventional vascular procedures. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275486 | EXTENDED DURATION MEDICAL FILTER - A medical filter for placement inside a body passage such as a vessel has a first filter half and a second filter half each of which have generally longitudinally extending legs with free ends. The first filter half has a docking station centrally located at one longitudinal end and a stop carried by one of said legs centrally located at its other end while the second filter half has a cylindrical collar and a longitudinally centrally located hook. The filter halves fit together with legs in interlocking relationship and the docking station has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the collar so that the filter can be retrieved by pushing the first filter half into the collar of the second filter half with a mandrel pushing against the docking station while holding the second filter half with a snare attached to its hook to collapse the first filter half in the collar of the second filter half and then pulling the second filter half into the lumen of a retrieval catheter with the snare. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275487 | REMOVABLE MEDICAL FILTER WITH STAND-OFF ARMS - A medical filter for placement in a tubular body passage. The filter has a main structure with a plurality of arms extending radially outwardly from the main structure to stand off the main structure from the wall of the tubular body passage. The filter is removed by first rotating the filter about its longitudinal axis to remove the stand-off arms from any endothelium attachments. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275488 | EXTENDED DURATION REMOVABLE MEDICAL FILTER - A medical filter intended for placement inside a tubular body passage of a patient has a generally longitudinally extending central spine with a retrieval element at one end; and a plurality of filter sections attached to and spaced along the spine, each of the filter sections having a plurality of radial arms attached to the spine and extending radially outwardly with parallel end segments extending axially generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, each of the end segments ending in a tip which extends radially inwardly. Each filter section may also have a graft band attached to the parallel end segments of the radial arms. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275489 | REMOVABLE MEDICAL FILTER - A medical filter intended for placement inside a tubular body passage such as a blood vessel of a patient, the medical filter having an end member at one end of the longitudinal axis of the filter. The end member supports a retrieval element and a plurality of struts defining a first filter cone proximate to the end member and a second filter cone distal from the end member. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275490 | MEDICAL FILTER WITH PARTIAL BASKETS - A medical filter intended for placement inside a tubular body passage such as a blood vessel of a patient, the medical filter having a plurality of truncated baskets positioned along a spine. Each of the baskets is rotated about the axis of the spine to be out of alignment with adjacent baskets and the spine carrying a retrieval element such as a hook. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275491 | REMOVABLE HELICAL MEDICAL FILTER - A medical filter intended for placement inside a tubular body passage such as a blood vessel of a patient, the medical filter having a plurality of arms radiating from an elongated spine in a helical pattern. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275492 | EXTENDED DURATION MEDICAL FILTER WITH BIO-ABSORBABLE BARBS - A removable, radially compressible and expandable medical filter for placement in a tubular body passage such as a blood vessel. In radially expanded form, the medical filter has a main structure with a plurality of barbs extending radially outwardly from the main structure. The barbs are spaced circumferentially around the structure and are adapted to stand-off the main structure from the wall of a tubular body passage such as a blood vessel after the filter has been implanted and allowed to expand therein. The barbs also are adapted to anchor the main structure in the tubular passage to prevent migration of the filter in the passage. The barbs are comprised of a bio-absorbable material. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275493 | EXTENDED DURATION MEDICAL FILTER SYSTEM WITH CAGED FILTER - A removable, radially compressible and expandable medical filter system for placement in a tubular body passage such as a blood vessel. The medical filter system comprises in radially expanded form, an elongated tubular cage with a hollow interior and an elongated filter disposed within the hollow interior of the cage in an interference fit. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275494 | EXTENDED DURATION REMOVABLE MEDICAL FILTER WITH TISSUE BARRIER - A medical filter intended for placement inside a tubular body passage of a patient has a filter frame with a cell growth inhibiting sheet attached to the struts of the frame to prevent or minimize growth of cells over the frame after it has been implanted in a vessel or body passage of a patient. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275495 | RETRIEVABLE MEDICAL FILTER WITH DIVERSE BASKETS - An elongated medical filter is radially expandable and compressible and is intended for placement inside a tubular body passage, such as a blood vessel, of a patient. In expanded form, the medical filter has a spine with a retrieval element and a pair of longitudinally spaced filter baskets, one of the filter baskets having a plurality of independent legs and the other of the filter baskets having a plurality of legs with interconnecting struts. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275496 | CROSSOVER RETRIEVABLE MEDICAL FILTER - A retrievable medical filter which can be placed in a blood vessel or other body passage. The filter has improved structural features for enhancing its filter effectiveness and to facilitate its retrieval from the body passage. The filter has a longitudinal spine with struts extending from each longitudinal to form filter baskets. The ends of the spine to which the struts are attached may be rings with serpentine cuts in the rings to make them expandable. The struts can extend circumferentially as well as radially outwardly to provide a structure which can be radially compressed without bending the struts in a tight radius. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275497 | SNARE - An intravascular snare device for use in capturing debris found in blood vessels. The snare device is fabricated from a tube and includes longitudinally and circumferentially extending members. The snare device specifically embodies structure that provides enhanced radial opening and angular resistance to collapse. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275498 | EMBOLIC BASKET - An intravascular basket device for use in capturing either naturally occurring or foreign debris found in blood vessels or other regions of the body. The basket device is fabricated from a tube and includes a mid-section having at least one ring configured in an alternating V-pattern. The basket device specifically embodies structure that provides enhanced radial opening and angular resistance to collapse. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275499 | Non-Pneumatic Tourniquet Device - This invention presents a non-pneumatic tourniquet device designed for quick, easy application to an injured digit, such as a finger or a toe. One preferred embodiment comprises an inner frame that is surrounded by a flexible layer or membrane and allows for an opening for the insertion of the injured digit through the device. This easy to use apparatus temporarily checks the bleeding or blood flow by applying an external pressure or a compression to the blood vessels in an appendage and also allows for exsanguination of the injured area. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275500 | IMPLANTS FOR CREATING CONNECTIONS TO TISSUE PARTS, IN PARTICULAR TO SKELETAL PARTS, AS WELL AS DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IMPLANTATION THEREOF | 2008-11-06 |
20080275501 | MEDICAL DEVICE LOADING AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Described herein are systems and methods for inserting a hemostatic seal into a delivery device. One such system can include a loading tool and a delivery device configured to detachably mate with one another. The loading tool can house a hemostatic seal in its unfolded configuration and can fold the seal for delivery into the delivery device. The delivery device can then be advanced into the loading tool to insert the seal into the delivery device. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275502 | Lifting instrument for removing skinfolds and plasty method of removing skinfolds using the same - Disclosed therein are lifting instrument and method of removing skinfolds. The lifting instrument for removing skinfolds includes: a Gore-tex thread with a thickness ranging from 1.0 mm to 2.3 mm used for lifting skin tissues after being combined to the skin tissues; and needles disposed on at least one side of the Gore-tex thread, each needle having an arrow-like fluent curve and a straight line length ranging from 40 mm to 140 mm. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275503 | METHOD OF HEART VALVE REPAIR - Catheter based systems and methods for securing tissue including the annulus of a mitral valve. The systems and methods employ catheter based techniques and devices to plicate tissue and perform an annuloplasty. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275504 | Constructs for dynamic spinal stabilization - Devices and methods for spinal stabilization include first and second anchors engageable to respective ones of first and second vertebrae and a connector assembly engageable with the anchors to provide a desired stabilization effect. The connector assembly includes a pair of bumper assemblies extending between the bone anchors and a connecting element extending through the bumper assemblies and connecting the first and second bone anchors to one another. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275505 | Prostheses, Tools and Methods for Replacement of Natural Facet Joints With Artificial Facet Joint Surfaces - Cephalad and caudal vertebral facet joint prostheses and methods of use are provided. The cephalad prostheses are adapted and configured to be attached to a lamina portion of a vertebra without blocking a pedicle portion of the cephalad vertebra. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275506 | Spinal implant - A spinal implant for insertion in the intervertebral space is formed as a hollow cage, wedge shaped in profile, with a lesser height leading end for a low profile entry. The cage has two open sides with a plurality of angled teeth along opposite longitudinal edges for engaging the end plates of adjacent vertebrae when the cage is rotated into position. One portion of the angled teeth is angled toward an end of the cage and another portion of the angled teeth is angled away from that end to provide a lock preventing the cage from migrating ventrally or dorsally from the spine. Upon rotation, the leading end has a greater height than the trailing end. Opposing side walls of the cage include recesses to facilitate rotation of the cage and minimize stress on adjacent vertebrae. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275507 | Facet Joint Replacement - A facet joint replacement system includes an inferior implant with an inferior articular surface, and a superior implant with a superior articular surface. The inferior implant may comprise an inferior strut, and a polyaxially adjustable, lockable mechanism which couples the inferior articular surface with a first end of the inferior strut. A second end of the inferior strut may be secured to a polyaxially adjustable, lockable fixation assembly securable in a vertebra. The first end of the inferior strut may be post-shaped, and the second end ring-shaped, and vice versa. The superior implant may be secured to a polyaxially adjustable lockable fixation assembly securable in a vertebra. Inferior and superior implants may be implanted individually, paired on one lateral vertebral side, bi-laterally, and/or in multiple vertebral levels. A crosslink may be secured to one implant and extend across a vertebral sagittal plane to a second implant. A clip may align the articular surfaces during implantation. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275508 | Bone end (epiphysis) fracture fixation device and method of use - A bone end (epiphysis) fracture device including a rotatable fixation plate having a guide pin aperture and a plurality of fixation screw apertures formed therethrough. The guide pin aperture is used by a surgeon to position the fixation plate so that one or more fixation screw apertures are properly positioned to receive fixation screws inserted by the surgeon for repairing a bone end fracture. In another embodiment, the fracture fixation device also includes a side plate to which the fixation plate is rotatably attached. This embodiment further includes one or more side plate apertures formed through an elongate extension, whereby the fixation device may also be attached to the bone for which an end fracture is being repaired. A lock screw is provided in this embodiment for locking the position of the fixation plate with respect to the side plate. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275509 | MOUNTS FOR IMPLANTABLE EXTRA-ARTICULAR SYSTEMS - A mount usable with an implantable extra-articular system including a body having a first end opposite a second end. The mount includes a coupling connection positioned at the first end of the mount for attaching the mount to a base component. The mount also includes a multi-dimensional articulating connection component configured at the second end of the mount. The body of the mount offsets the articulating connection component away from body anatomy when coupled to the base component. The mount also orients and aligns a link absorber that is coupled to the articulating connection component. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275510 | Fixation Device, Combination of a Fixation Device with an Elongate Element, Arrangment with Such a Combination and Osteosynthesis Set - A fixation device is used to fix an elongate element, in particular a wire, in an opening of a retaining structure, in particular of an implant plate. The fixation device has a main body. The main body is provided with a bore for receiving the elongate element. The main body is radially deformable in a clamp area, such that the diameter of the bore can be reduced. The main body has an outer contour which is designed in such a way that, when the fixation device is inserted into the opening of the retaining structure, the clamp area is deformed such that the elongate element is clamped securely in the bore. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275511 | Cranium fixing device - The cranium fixation device ( | 2008-11-06 |
20080275512 | Arthroscopic unicompartmental knee technique and instrumentation - A method and apparatus for arthroscopic unicompartmental knee surgery which include a femoral component and a tibial component. The femoral component is installed in a trough in the femoral condyle formed by using a template, a plurality of drill pins and a plurality of corresponding cutters. The template is aligned with the curvature of the femoral condyle, the two drill pins are passed through the template and drilled into the femur, cutters are advanced over the corresponding drill pins to make holes in the femur, and the remaining hourglass shaped bone is removed with osteotomy pliers to form the trough. A tibial socket for the tibial component is formed in a retrograde manner. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275513 | Vestibular Stimulation System and Method - An apparatus and method in which the portions of the labyrinth associated with the labyrinthine sense and/or the nerves associated therewith are stimulated to perform at least one of the following functions: augment or control a patient's respiratory function, open the patient's airway, induce sleep, and/or counteract vertigo. In one embodiment, the vestibular stimulating system of the present invention includes 1) a stimulation element that performs the actual stimulation of the tissue, 2) a sensor to detect a physiological condition of the patient, and 3) a power/control unit that receives the signals provided by the sensor and causes stimulation energy to be provided to the stimulation element at an appropriate timing, level, pattern, and/or frequency to achieve the desired function. However, the present invention also contemplates eliminating the sensor in favor of applying a predetermined pattern of stimulation to the patient. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275514 | Minimal-heart-rate reduction parasympathetic stimulation - A method is provided for treating a subject, including applying a current to a site of the subject selected from the list consisting of: a vagus nerve of the subject, an epicardial fat pad of the subject, a pulmonary vein of the subject, a carotid artery of the subject, a carotid sinus of the subject, a vena cava vein of the subject, and an internal jugular vein of the subject. The method also includes configuring the current so as to treat a condition of the subject selected from the list consisting of: an autoimmune disease, an autoimmune inflammatory disease, multiple sclerosis, encephalitis, myelitis, immune-mediated neuropathy, myositis, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, inclusion body myositis, inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy, Guillain Barre syndrome, myasthenia gravis, inflammation of the nervous system, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, polyarteritis nodosa, Sjogren syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, glomerulonephritis, thyroid autoimmune disease, sepsis, meningitis, a bacterial infection, a viral infection, a fungal infection, sarcoidosis, hepatitis, and portal vein hypertension. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275515 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR STIMULATING TISSUE - Apparatus and methods for stimulating tissue employing local current imbalance to facilitate more effective stimulation regimens. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275516 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING ARRHYTHMIAS IN A MEDICAL DEVICE - A method and apparatus of updating a sensing parameter in a medical device that includes sensing cardiac signals, determining intervals in response to the sensed cardiac signals, determining interval patterns associated with the determined intervals, and updating the sensing parameter in response to the determined interval patterns. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275517 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING ARRHYTHMIAS IN A MEDICAL DEVICE - A method and apparatus for determining oversensing in a medical device that includes sensing cardiac signals, determining an oversensing characteristic associated with cardiac signals sensed during a predetermined sensing window, identifying oversensing in response to the oversensing characteristic, determining, in response to oversensing being identified, an adjusting characteristic associated with cardiac signals sensed during the predetermined sensing window, and updating a sensing parameter in response to the determined adjusting characteristic. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275518 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING ARRHYTHMIAS IN A MEDICAL DEVICE - A method and apparatus for determining oversensing of cardiac signals that includes a housing containing electronic circuitry, an electrode coupled to the electronic circuitry to sense cardiac signals, and a processor, positioned within the housing, to determine an oversensing characteristic associated with the cardiac signals sensed over a predetermined sensing window, and to identify oversensing in response to the determined oversensing characteristic. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275519 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING ARRHYTHMIAS IN A MEDICAL DEVICE - A method and apparatus for adjusting a sensing parameter in a medical device that includes a sensing electrode sensing cardiac signals, a processor to determine an adjusting characteristic associated with the cardiac signals sensed over a predetermined sensing window, and a control unit to update the sensing parameter in response to the determined adjusting characteristic. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275520 | Automatic modulation of pacing timing intervals using beat to beat measures - Methods and systems to modulate timing intervals for pacing therapy are described. For each cardiac cycle, one or both of an atrioventricular (A-V) timing interval and an atrial (A-A) timing interval are modulated to oppose beat-to-beat ventricular (V-V) timing variability. Pacing therapy is delivered using the modulated timing intervals. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275521 | Vector Switching in an Implantable Cardiac Stimulus System - The implantable cardiac treatment system of the present invention is capable of choosing the most appropriate electrode vector to sense within a particular patient. In certain embodiments, the implantable cardiac treatment system determines the most appropriate electrode vector for continuous sensing based on which electrode vector results in the greatest signal amplitude, or some other useful metric such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The electrode vector possessing the highest quality as measured using the metric is then set as the default electrode vector for sensing. Additionally, in certain embodiments of the present invention, a next alternative electrode vector is selected based on being generally orthogonal to the default electrode vector. In yet other embodiments of the present invention, the next alternative electrode vector is selected based on possessing the next highest quality metric after the default electrode vector. In some embodiments, if analysis of the default vector is ambiguous, the next alternative electrode vector is analyzed to reduce ambiguity. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275522 | Non-captured intrinsic discrimination in cardiac pacing response classification - Cardiac devices and methods discriminate non-captured intrinsic beats during evoked response detection and classification by comparing the features of a post-pace cardiac signal with expected features associated with a non-captured response with intrinsic activation. Detection of a non-captured response with intrinsic activation may be based on the peak amplitude and timing of the cardiac signal. The methods may be used to discriminate between a fusion or capture beat and a non-captured intrinsic beat. Discriminating between possible cardiac responses to the pacing pulse may be useful, for example, during automatic capture verification and/or a capture threshold test. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275523 | Ring connector for implantable medical devices - An electrical contact for use in the header assembly of an implantable tissue stimulator includes a metal housing having a base and a sidewall where the opening in the base is adapted to receive the terminal of a medical lead therethrough. An electrical contact support member is welded to the edge of the sidewall and affixed to the support member are a plurality of spring members that are tangent to an imaginary circle whose diameter is slightly less than the outside diameter of the lead terminal contact rings. When the contacts are axially aligned in the device header, the terminal of an electrical lead may be longitudinally inserted into the header to establish electrical contact with device feedthrough wires that are joined to the electrical contacts in the header. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275525 | Method and system for regulating respiration by means of simulated action potential signals - A method to regulate respiration generally comprising generating and transmitting at least one simulated action potential signal to the body that is recognizable by the respiratory system as a modulation signal. In a preferred embodiment, the simulated action potential signal includes a positive voltage region having positive voltage (V | 2008-11-06 |
20080275526 | Methods and Apparatus for Effectuating a Lasting Change in a Neural Function of a Patient, Including Via Mechanical Force on Neural Tissue - Methods and apparatus for effectuating a lasting change in a neural function of a patient, including via mechanical force on neural tissue, are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with one embodiment includes an implantable force delivery device that is changeable between a first state in which the force delivery device applies a first mechanical force to neural tissue, and the second state in which the force delivery device applies no mechanical force or a second mechanical force less than the first mechanical force to the neural tissue, while the force delivery device is implanted. An actuator can be coupled to the force delivery device with a communication link to change the state of the force delivery device, and a controller can be operably coupled to the actuator to automatically direct the force delivery device to change repeatedly between the first and second states while the force delivery device is implanted. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275527 | Retinal Prosthesis with a New Configuration - Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, and cortical stimulation, and many related purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. By applying the right amount of heat to a completed array, a curve can be induced. With a thermoplastic polymer it may be further advantageous to repeatedly heat the flexible circuit in multiple molds, each with a decreasing radius. Further, it is advantageous to add material along the edges. It is further advantageous to provide a fold or twist in the flexible circuit array. Additional material may be added inside and outside the fold to promote a good seal with tissue. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275528 | Electrode Array for Visual Stimulation - The present invention is an electrode array adapted for stimulating the retina to create the perception of vision in blind patients. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275529 | PATIENT INTERACTIVE NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A fully automated computer controlled system is provided for adjustment of neurostimulation implants used in pain therapy and in treating neurological dysfunction which includes a patient interactive computer, and a universal transmitter interface integrally embedded in the patient interactive computer or built into the antenna which is capable of stimulating any type of implanted neurostimulation devices by imitating programming codes. The patient interacts with the system through the patient interactive computer. The universal transmitter interface includes a direct digital synthesizer, a transistor circuitry driving the antenna in ON-OFF fashion and a gating unit for driving the transistor circuitry under control of the processing means in the patient-interactive computer. Alternatively, the universal transmitting interface includes a balanced modulator for modulation of the carrier signal generated at the direct digital synthesizer. | 2008-11-06 |
20080275530 | Specialty Surgical Instrument - A metal surgical implant has a first antenna wrapped around an elongated portion, the first antenna electrically coupled with circuitry, all tuned to a frequency below 450 kilohertz. The assembly is substantially sterile. A second antenna may also be wrapped around the elongated portion, also electrically coupled with the circuitry. The implant may be a hip implant. | 2008-11-06 |