Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090118777 | EFFERENT AND AFFERENT SPLANCHNIC NERVE STIMULATION - Methods and devices providing for bilateral stimulation of left and right splanchnic nerves. Some embodiments of the method increase satiety, reduce appetite, affect gastric motility, and/or reduce food intake, resulting in weight loss. Some methods provided take advantage of anatomy, physiology, and natural body time periods to change stimulation locations and patterns to prevent the body from ignoring the administered stimulation signals in order to continue to induce weight loss over long time periods. | 05-07-2009 |
20100168820 | AUTOMATIC THRESHOLD ASSESMENT UTILIZING PATIENT FEEDBACK - Methods, Implantable Pulse Generators (IPGs), and systems for stimulating a sympathetic nervous system nerve including automatically increasing the maximum stimulation current intensity over time. Some IPGS increase the current stimulation current maximum upon passage of an elapsed time or occurrence of a time of day. The current stimulation current maximum is the actual stimulation current in some methods and is a ramp maximum in other methods. The patient may interact with the IPG to indicate discomfort, resulting in a decrease in the current stimulation current maximum. In some methods, after receiving too many patient indications of discomfort, stimulation is stopped by the IPG. | 07-01-2010 |
20100241189 | Nerve Stimulation For Treatment of Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Type 2 Diabetes - A tissue modulation device, for treating at least one of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and Type 2 diabetes in a patient, is described. In some embodiments, the device includes a storage module having computer-readable instructions for delivering an electrical stimulation pattern to a splanchnic nerve of the patient. The stimulation pattern includes at least one on-time. The on-time includes at least one of a suprathreshold period and a subthreshold period. The splanchnic nerve is selected from the group consisting of the greater splanchnic nerve, the lesser splanchnic nerve, and the least splanchnic nerve. The pattern is effective to ameliorate at least one attendant condition of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and Type 2 diabetes in the patient. The attendant condition includes dyslipidemia, hypertension, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and/or insulin resistance. | 09-23-2010 |
20100268297 | Duodenal Stimulation To Induce Satiety - Methods and devices for creating and/or adding to sensations of satiety to reduce food intake. Methods include electrically stimulating the duodenum which may induce false nerve signals in the duodenal region which are normally indicative of duodenal distension (fullness) and/or the presence of food in the duodenum. These artificially generated signals may be superimposed on existing, naturally present signals. The artificially generated signals may be applied in a pattern which mimics at least in part a naturally occurring pattern of duodenal signals generated responsive to eating a meal. Some artificial patterns may be exaggerated relative to the natural patterns, by occurring earlier after ingestion, and/or lasting longer after ingestion, having an exaggerated (higher) frequency response or a faster rate of frequency increase after ingestion. The applied signals may generate nerve signals going to the brain which induce a feeling of satiety. The signals may trigger local neural loops which may feed back to and decrease peristalsis in, the stomach. | 10-21-2010 |
20120197371 | CUFF ELECTRODE HAVING TUBULAR BODY WITH CONTROLLED CLOSING FORCE - Nerve cuff electrode including a tubular body having a longitudinal slit and a flap curled over the slit. The tubular body includes a central cathode disposed between two anodes. The region opposite the slit includes a flexible region that determines the flexibility and strength of tube opening and closing. The cuff electrode having a hinge region with a non-linear effective spring constant which can be higher at low cuff openings and lower at large opening to provide an effective yet non-damaging closing force over a wide range of cuff openings. In use, the tube body can be pulled apart using attached suture loops, with one loop and flap pulled under the nerve followed by part of the tubular body. The tubular body can be closed over the nerve and the flap closed over the tube slit. | 08-02-2012 |
20130041424 | DUODENAL STIMULATION TO INDUCE SATIETY - Methods and devices for creating and/or adding to sensations of satiety to reduce food intake. Methods include electrically stimulating the duodenum which may induce false nerve signals in the duodenal region which are normally indicative of duodenal distension (fullness) and/or the presence of food in the duodenum. The artificially generated signals may be applied in a pattern which mimics at least in part a naturally occurring pattern of duodenal signals generated responsive to eating a meal. Some artificial patterns may be exaggerated relative to the natural patterns, by occurring earlier after ingestion, and/or lasting longer after ingestion, having an exaggerated (higher) frequency response or a faster rate of frequency increase after ingestion. The applied signals may generate nerve signals going to the brain which induce a feeling of satiety. | 02-14-2013 |
20140074213 | CUFF ELECTRODE HAVING TUBULAR BODY WITH CONTROLLED CLOSING FORCE - Nerve cuff electrode including a tubular body having a longitudinal slit having electrodes disposed within the body. Wedge shape slits are formed into at least one of the interior wall and the exterior wall of the body, whereby the number and location of slits provided to facilitate the adjustment of the amount of compressive force of nerve cuff electrode about the nerve. | 03-13-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130324902 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR GASTROINTESTINAL BYPASS - Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially. | 12-05-2013 |
20130324903 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR GASTROINTESTINAL BYPASS - Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially. | 12-05-2013 |
20130324904 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR GASTROINTESTINAL BYPASS - Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially. | 12-05-2013 |
20130324906 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR GASTROINTESTINAL BYPASS - Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially. | 12-05-2013 |
20130324907 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR GASTROINTESTINAL BYPASS - Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially. | 12-05-2013 |
20130331759 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR GASTROINTESTINAL BYPASS - Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially. | 12-12-2013 |
20140188245 | DEVICES FOR GASTROINTESTINAL BYPASS HAVING TISSUE INGROWTH FEATURES - Tissue ingrowth devices configured to be coupled within a bodily lumen are described. In one embodiment, a tissue ingrowth device may include a framework and a liner covering the framework. The liner may have a zig-zag edge with a plurality of peaks and valleys. The tissue ingrowth device may also include a plurality of tissue ingrowth areas which allow tissue ingrowth from the tissue wall. | 07-03-2014 |
20140207159 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING AN ANCHORED DEVICE - One or more tissue anchors may be delivered first without being coupled to an anchored device. An anchored device may be delivered second, and then coupled to the tissue anchors. This may enhance placement accuracy of tissue anchors, as well as facilitate delivery of tissue anchors. The tissue anchors include anchor couplings configured to be coupled to one or more device couplings of the anchored device. | 07-24-2014 |
20140276333 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR GASTROINTESTINAL BYPASS - A gastrointestinal bypass device for directing food and liquids from an esophagus and/or a proximal portion of a stomach into an intestines is described. The device comprises a receiver, a sleeve, and a device coupling. The receiver may be configured to be positioned in the esophagus and/or the stomach. A proximal portion of the receiver may be configured to open and close to at least partially conform to an inside of the esophagus and/or a proximal portion of the stomach. The receiver may be configured to receive food and liquids from the esophagus and/or a proximal portion of the stomach into a lumen of the receiver. The sleeve may be coupled to a distal portion of the receiver. The sleeve may be configured to be positioned in the stomach and the intestines. The sleeve may have a lumen in communication with the lumen of the receiver. The sleeve may be configured to direct the food and the liquids from the receiver into the intestines. The device coupling may be coupled to the distal portion of the receiver and/or a proximal portion of the sleeve. The device coupling may be configured to be coupled to one or more tissue anchors. | 09-18-2014 |
20150018745 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR GASTROINTESTINAL BYPASS - Devices and methods for gastrointestinal bypass are described. A gastrointestinal bypass device includes a gastrointestinal cuff and a gastrointestinal sleeve. The cuff may be configured to be attached in the esophagus, and may be sufficiently flexible to expand and collapse to conform with the inside of the esophagus to allow the esophagus to function substantially normally. The sleeve is configured to be coupled to the cuff, and may be made of a material that is floppy or flaccid but does not substantially expand radially. | 01-15-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100023027 | Surgical suture passers and methods - A surgical instrument for suturing soft tissue is disclosed. The surgical instrument is capable of probing tissue, and preferably provides tactile feedback concerning the condition of the tissue. The instrument can then be used to pass and retrieve a suture without the need for an additional suture retrieval tool. | 01-28-2010 |
20100191039 | TRANSOBTURATOR SURGICAL ARTICLES AND METHODS - Surgical articles, implants and components suitable for a transobturator surgical procedure are described. | 07-29-2010 |
20100312044 | Implantable Article and Method - An implantable article and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The biocompatible device includes a sling assembly configured to be minimally invasive and provide sufficient support to the target site. In addition, the configuration of the sling assembly also allows the position of the sling to be permanently changed during and/or after implantation. | 12-09-2010 |
20110105831 | Sling Delivery System and Method of Use - An apparatus and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The biocompatible device includes a handle, needle, dilator and sling assembly configured to be minimally invasive and provide sufficient support to the target site. In addition, the configuration of the sling assembly also allows the sling to be adjusted during and/or after implantation. The device and treatment procedure are highly effective and produce little to no side effects or complications. Further, operative risks, pain, infections and post operative stays are reduced, thereby improving patient quality of life. | 05-05-2011 |
20110105832 | Surgical Articles for Placing an Implant about a Tubular Tissue Structure and Methods - A minimally invasive surgical instrument for placing an implantable article about a tubular tissue structure is disclosed. The surgical instrument is particularly useful for treating urological disorders such as incontinence. Surgical methods using the novel instrument are also described. | 05-05-2011 |
20110230704 | Sling Assembly with Secure and Convenient Attachment - Surgical articles that are conveniently and securely coupled are disclosed. Improved surgical procedures are also disclosed. | 09-22-2011 |
20110282133 | TRANSOBTURATOR SURGICAL ARTICLES AND METHODS - A surgical instrument for treating incontinence includes a handle portion elongate along a handle axis and a needle portion connected to the handle portion. The needle portion has a spacer portion along the handle axis, and has a distal end. The needle portion includes a substantially helical portion that is a variable spiral portion, extending from the straight spacer portion. The variable spiral portion is sized and shaped to extend from an incision substantially adjacent the patient's obturator foramen through the obturator foramen along a path in a region between the superior pubic ramus and the inferior pubic ramus. The needle portion has a structure near the distal end that associates the instrument with an implantable material configured to treat incontinence. | 11-17-2011 |
20120010458 | Transobturator Surgical Articles and Methods - Surgical articles, implants and components suitable for a transobturator surgical procedure are described. | 01-12-2012 |
20120277721 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT FOR INJECTING A DRUG INTO PROSTATE TISSUE - A needleless injector including a body at a proximal end, a shaft extending distally from the body, at least one injection orifice at a distal end of the shaft in fluid communication with a fluid chamber at the proximal end, a pressure source in communication with the fluid chamber, and a tissue tensioner located at the distal end of the shaft proximal to the injection orifice, wherein the distal end including the tissue tensioner and injection orifice is positionable within a urethral lumen so that when the tissue tensioner is deployed, tissue of the urethra is tensioned at a location for injection of fluid from the injection orifice into the tissue of the urethra. | 11-01-2012 |
20130041208 | SURGICAL ARTICLES FOR PLACING AN IMPLANT ABOUT A TUBULAR TISSUE STRUCTURE AND METHODS - A minimally invasive surgical instrument for placing an implantable article about a tubular tissue structure is disclosed. The surgical instrument is particularly useful for treating urological disorders such as incontinence. Surgical methods using the novel instrument are also described. | 02-14-2013 |
20130144265 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT FOR INJECTING A DRUG INTO PROSTATE TISSUE - Method and surgical instrument for treating prostate tissue including a surgical instrument having a main body, a needle deployment port, a needle, first and second handles and a lockout release mechanism to limit needle extension. Additionally, a kit includes the surgical instrument, together with a cystoscope, and optionally a syringe and reservoir of ethanol. The method includes needle-less injection and visualizing the ethanol injection by delivering both an echogenic agent and ethanol either by needle or needle-less injection or by providing an ultrasonically visible marker near the tip of the ethanol delivery cannula. The method also includes extending the needle transversely of the instrument housing using a link assembly. | 06-06-2013 |
20130267768 | SLING DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE - An apparatus and method of use are disclosed to treat urological disorders. The biocompatible device includes a handle, needle, dilator and sling assembly configured to be minimally invasive and provide sufficient support to the target site. In addition, the configuration of the sling assembly also allows the sling to be adjusted during and/or after implantation. The device and treatment procedure are highly effective and produce little to no side effects or complications. Further, operative risks, pain, infections and post operative stays are reduced, thereby improving patient quality of life. | 10-10-2013 |
20140135733 | METHODS FOR INJECTING A DRUG INTO PROSTATE TISSUE - Method and surgical instrument for treating prostate tissue including a surgical instrument having a main body, a needle deployment port, a needle, first and second handles and a lockout release mechanism to limit needle extension. Additionally, a kit includes the surgical instrument, together with a cystoscope, and optionally a syringe and reservoir of ethanol. The method includes needle-less injection and visualizing the ethanol injection by delivering both an echogenic agent and ethanol either by needle or needle-less injection or by providing an ultrasonically visible marker near the tip of the ethanol delivery cannula. The method also includes extending the needle transversely of the instrument housing using a link assembly. | 05-15-2014 |
20150031944 | Surgical Articles and Methods - Surgical instruments, implantable articles and surgical procedures disclosed for treating medical disorders, particularly incontinence. Improved surgical sling procedures are disclosed. Novel surgical instruments and kits for use in sling procedures are also disclosed. The present invention affords options for surgeons with concomitant advantages to the patient and the healthcare provider. | 01-29-2015 |
20150038777 | TRANSOBTURATOR SURGICAL ARTICLES AND METHODS - A surgical instrument for treating incontinence includes a handle portion elongate along a handle axis and a needle portion connected to the handle portion. The needle portion has a spacer portion along the handle axis, and has a distal end. The needle portion includes a substantially helical portion that is a variable spiral portion, extending from the straight spacer portion. The variable spiral portion is sized and shaped to extend from an incision substantially adjacent the patient's obturator foramen through the obturator foramen along a path in a region between the superior pubic ramus and the inferior pubic ramus. The needle portion has a structure near the distal end that associates the instrument with an implantable material configured to treat incontinence. | 02-05-2015 |