Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130231226 | EXERCISE DEVICE - The present invention provides a system and method of exercise utilizing fluid containing bladders. The bladders may be in communication with each other so that compression of one bladder causes the fluid to be transferred to a neighboring bladder. The system may be used to exercise complementary muscle groups. Additionally, the system may be adjustable to provide different workout levels or so that the device can be used to exercise a variety of muscle groups. | 09-05-2013 |
20130238039 | TISSUE FASTENING SYSTEM - A stabilization implant, such as a rod or plate, may be positioned adjacent spinous processes. Fasteners and sutures may be used to secure the rod or plate to the spine. A plurality of fasteners may be positioned against the rod or plate proximate to each spinous process. A second plurality of fasteners may be placed within or against the spinous processes. Sutures may extend between the fasteners and may be tensioned. The plate or rod may be positioned within or against the fractured bone. A fastener may be driven across the bone and locked onto the plate, rod, or another fastener. | 09-12-2013 |
20130267026 | METHODS OF BUILDING A BODY PORTION - An improved method of implanting cells in the body of a patient includes positioning viable cells on a support structure. One or more blood vessels may be connected with the support structure to provide a flow of blood through the support structure. A support structure may be positioned at any desired location in a patient's body. The support structure may be configured to replace an entire organ or a portion of an organ. An organ or portion of an organ may be removed from a body cells and/or other tissue is removed to leave a collagen matrix support structure having a configuration corresponding to the configuration of the organ or portion of an organ. Alternatively, a synthetic support structure may be formed. The synthetic support structure may have a configuration corresponding to a configuration of an entire organ or only a portion of an organ. | 10-10-2013 |
20130274760 | ROBOTIC FASTENING SYSTEM - An improved apparatus and method of securing body tissue may be performed with a robotic mechanism. The robotic mechanism may be utilized to tension a suture with a predetermined force and urge a suture retainer toward body tissue with a predetermined force. Ultrasonic vibratory energy may be transmitted to the suture retainer to effect a gripping of the suture by the suture retainer. The body tissue may be secured with a staple. Legs of the staple may be bonded together to secure the staple. The legs of the staple may be bonded together by transmitting ultrasonic vibratory energy to the legs of the staple. A tissue positioning assembly may be used to hold the body tissue in a desired position. Images of the body tissue being secured may be obtained using various known devices including one or more endoscopes, a fluoroscope, a magnetic resonance imaging device, and/or other known imaging devices. | 10-17-2013 |
20130274769 | DEFORMABLE FASTENER SYSTEM - The guidance and positioning device may be a system for creating a passage in tissue, positioning fasteners or other implants, and tensioning an elongated fastening member, like a suture, thread, wire, or pin. In some embodiments, the device may allow for the implantation of multiple sutures and fasteners in tissue. A fastener may be positioned at the distal end of a flexible pushrod. The fastener may be connected with the pushrod or may be loosely fitted with the distal end of the pushrod. A suture may be looped through or connected with the fastener such that one, two, or more sections, legs, strands, or portions of the suture extend from the fastener. | 10-17-2013 |
20130281549 | BIOLOGIC BONDING AGENT - A sterile biofilm could be engineered to isolate the glue-like substance while eliminating the adverse properties of the bacteria. The resulting sterile glue-like substance would be used to help the cells stick to the support structure. The engineered biofilm could be added to the support structure in the laboratory that produces the support structure or just prior to the addition of the cells by the user. Alternatively, the biofilm and support structure could be combined intra-corporally. This biofilm also could be used as an independent polysaccharide based adhesive with mild to moderate adhesion forces. The biofilm could serve as a surgical adhesion or grouting for cells, for tissue fixation (soft tissue to soft tissue, soft tissue to bone, etc.) and as a sealant. The biofilm could be used in conjunction with other implants and devices. The biofilm could be used to coat a stent. | 10-24-2013 |
20130289729 | JOINT REPLACEMENT IMPLANT - An implant for one of partial and total replacement of an articulating joint between a first bone and a second bone. The implant has a joint component implant including a body and a head, the body including a first region spaced from the head and a second region proximate the head, the head including a convex bearing surface. At least a portion of the first region has a textured surface, the textured surface constructed of a foam metal material that is configured to promote bone in-growth into the textured surface, the body constructed of a metallic material and configured for attaching to the first bone, the first region tapering from a proximal end adjacent the second region toward a distal end. | 10-31-2013 |
20130296868 | ROBOTIC ARTHROPLASTY SYSTEM - Embodiments include a robotic mechanism that may be utilized to position prosthetic implants in a patient's body. During joint replacement surgery and other surgical procedures, prosthetic implants may be placed in a patient's body. The robotic mechanism may be utilized to control movement of a cutting tool during resection of bone in a patient's body. The robotic mechanism includes a programmable computer which is connected with the force transmitting member by a motor. A force measurement assembly is connected with the force transmitting member and the computer. The output from the force measurement assembly is indicative of a resistance encountered by the force transmitting member. A position sensor is connected with the force transmitting member and the computer. The position sensor has an output indicative of the position of the force transmitting member. | 11-07-2013 |
20130304085 | ROBOTIC SYSTEM FOR ENGAGING A FASTENER WITH BODY TISSUE - An improved apparatus and method of securing body tissue may be performed with a robotic mechanism. The robotic mechanism may be utilized to tension a suture with a predetermined force and urge a suture retainer toward body tissue with a predetermined force. Ultrasonic vibratory energy may be transmitted to the suture retainer to effect a gripping of the suture by the suture retainer. The body tissue may be secured with a staple. Legs of the staple may be bonded together to secure the staple. The legs of the staple may be bonded together by transmitting ultrasonic vibratory energy to the legs of the staple. A tissue positioning assembly may be used to hold the body tissue in a desired position. Images of the body tissue being secured may be obtained using various known devices including one or more endoscopes, a fluoroscope, a magnetic resonance imaging device, and/or other known imaging devices. | 11-14-2013 |
20130306177 | MODIFICATION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE IN A FLUID MEDIA - Drag experienced by a vehicle traveling through an environmental media, such as air or water, may be modified by one or more energy beams which may increase or decrease drag. Environmental media may be adjusted by microwave, chemical, ultrasonic, acoustic (including subsonic, sonic, or ultrasonic), or electromagnetic energy. One or more energy beams may be directed toward a transition region between turbulent and laminar flow, at the leading edge of a laminar flow, or in the direction of a crosswind. | 11-21-2013 |
20130312857 | SYSTEMS FOR MODIFYING A FLUID FLOW OF A VEHICLE - Drag experienced by a vehicle traveling through an environmental media, such as air or water, may be modified by one or more energy beams which may increase or decrease drag. A control system smay be used to actively modulate the drag of the vehicle by selectively transmitting energy beams. Energy beams may include electric pulse signals, pulsed air, piezoelectric, infrared, ultraviolet, laser, optical band, microwave, thermal other known acoustic, electric, optical, or other electromagnetic energy and any combination thereof. This could be a constant or pulsed energy beam and adjusted for the speed and/or vertical lift, frequency, density, angle, pulse and wavelengths experienced by the vehicle. Charged particles may be emitted from the vehicle itself and then utilized in front or behind the vehicle via electric current to improve the boundary layer, boundary flow. | 11-28-2013 |
20130317308 | ROBOTIC RETRACTOR SYSTEM - The robotic mechanism may be used to position a tissue retractor assembly relative to body tissue. Once the tissue retractor assembly has been positioned relative to the body tissue by the robotic mechanism, the robotic mechanism effects operation of the tissue retractor assembly from a contracted condition to an expanded condition to move body tissue. This movement of body tissue may advantageously create a space for the performance of a surgical procedure by the robotic mechanism. Embodiments may facilitate the insertion of one or more surgical instruments through a cannula to a working space created by expansion of a balloon or bladder from the contracted condition to the expanded condition. As the bladder or balloon expands, portions of body tissue are deflected under the influence of force applied to the body tissue by the bladder or balloon. | 11-28-2013 |
20130325036 | METHODS OF USING A ROBOTIC SPINE SYSTEM - A tissue retractor assembly may be moved through an opening formed in vertebrae in a patient's spinal column. The robotic mechanism may be utilized to form the opening in the vertebrae and to move the contracted tissue retractor assembly into the vertebra. The tissue retractor assembly may include a cannula or scope which is utilized to position the balloon or bladder relative to the vertebra and to conduct the fluid (gas or liquid) into the balloon or bladder to effect expansion of the balloon or bladder. The balloon or bladder may be formed of a biodegradable material. The robotic mechanism may be utilized to position the cannula through which the flow of synthetic bone material or cement is conducted into the space created in the vertebra by expansion of the balloon or bladder. | 12-05-2013 |
20130345720 | ROBOTIC ULTRASONIC ENERGY SYSTEM - The robotic mechanism may include a programmable computer which is connected with a drive member by a motor. In addition to the motor, a force measurement assembly may be connected with the drive member and computer. The force measurement assembly has an output to the computer indicating the magnitude of resistance encountered. The force measurement device may be a piezoelectric cell or a spring assembly which controls energization of the electric motor. A position sensor is connected with drive member and the computer. The position sensor has an output which is indicative of the position. The output from the position sensor may indicate the depth or distance. Ultrasonic vibratory energy may be transmitted to the force transmitting member from a source or generator of ultrasonic vibratory energy. The force transmitting member may function as a horn and apply the ultrasonic vibratory energy. | 12-26-2013 |
20140039495 | METHODS OF SECURING A FASTENER - Embodiments may include an attachable fastener, which may include a bondable material that may be secured to the end of an end effector. Vibration may be tuned to occur at a distal end of the fastener. Accordingly, the fastener may be used to generate heat at a distal point of contact. If the contact surface contains bondable material, that material may be softened. If the fastener includes bondable material at the point of contact, that material may also be softened by heat produced by vibration at the contact area. A hard implant or another polymeric material may function as the anvil. | 02-06-2014 |
20140058393 | ROBOTIC ARTHROPLASTY SYSTEM INCLUDING NAVIGATION - A system for performing surgery on a joint. The system includes a robotic subsystem and a navigation subsystem. The navigation subsystem provides the robotic subsystem, during the surgery, with information relating to positions of the bones associated with the joint thereby enabling separate tracking of the bones when the bones move during the surgery. The robotic subsystem includes a base, a plurality of arms, and a cutting tool. The navigation subsystem may include a plurality of locating devices. | 02-27-2014 |
20140058408 | METHOD FOR ROBOTIC ARTHROPLASTY USING NAVIGATION - A method for robotic surgery on a joint using a robotic system and a navigation system. The robotic system includes a base, a plurality of arms, and a cutting tool. The navigation system tracks movement of bones associated with the joint during the surgery. Information related to tracked positions of the bones is communicated from the navigation system to the robotic system. The navigation system may include a plurality of locating devices. | 02-27-2014 |
20140066827 | MYOFASCIAL TREATMENT APPARATUS - A treatment apparatus configured to provide electrical stimulation to a leg of a user is provided. The treatment apparatus includes an inner layer configured to contact the leg of the user and configured to couple to an electrical stimulus, a retainer fixedly connected to the inner layer, and a fabric layer coupled to the inner layer, the fabric layer configured to releasably couple to the retainer to secure the electrical stimulus against the leg of the user. | 03-06-2014 |
20140088598 | METHOD OF PREPARING A FEMUR AND TIBIA IN KNEE ARTHROPLASTY - A method of preparing a femur and tibia in surgery on a knee joint using a navigation system and a robotic system. The navigation system tracks movement of the femur and tibia during the surgery. The navigation system may include a plurality of locating devices. The robotic system includes a base, a plurality of arms, and a cutting tool. | 03-27-2014 |
20140142509 | EXPANDABLE ACCESS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Embodiments may include an expandable access system having contracted and expanded configurations. The system and methods may include an expandable access device having a helix or wrapped shape. Embodiments may include a cannula, stent, needle, trocar, introducer, fastener, and/or any other devices disclosed herein. Embodiments may also include an expandable trocar positionable in at least a portion of the access device. A sleeve or band may be disposed over at least a portion of the access device and configured to resist radial expansion of the access device. Expansion of the trocar and/or receipt of an object may radially expand the access device between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. | 05-22-2014 |
20140194907 | FIXATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Embodiments may include fixation devices and methods for securing first and second body tissue portions. Fixation devices may include a base component, an insert component, and a flexible member. The base component may include a passage. The insert component may be positionable within at least a portion of the passage. The elongate member may be configured to be positioned through the first and second body tissue portions. The elongate member may be tensioned and pinched between the base component and insert component to secure the first and second portions. | 07-10-2014 |
20140303527 | RANGE OF MOTION SYSTEM - The application is directed to devices and methods useful for expanding the range of motion of joints based on principles of stress relaxation and creep. Expanded range of motion is achieved by placing body parts near the joint in positions that stretch tissue around the joint. Even when the device is in any one position, it can impart forces on the body members to urge them to stretch surrounding tissue even further. | 10-09-2014 |
20140309585 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR CONTROLLING BIOLOGIC MICROENVIRONMENTS - A microenvironment of a biological body is controlled, and more particularly, is measured, changed, and monitored with respect to temperature, pH level, moisture and other tissue parameters of a region of the body while, optionally, administering a therapeutic agent to that region. | 10-16-2014 |
20140343573 | METHOD OF PREPARING A FEMUR AND TIBIA IN KNEE ARTHROPLASTY - A method of preparing a femur and tibia in surgery on a knee joint using a navigation system and a robotic system. The navigation system tracks movement of the femur and tibia during the surgery. The robotic system includes a cutting tool for cutting away material from the femur and tibia. Femoral and tibial implants on installed on the femur and tibia. | 11-20-2014 |