Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090312878 | Precision Pen Height Control for Micro-Scale Direct Writing Technology - An apparatus for precision pen height control which includes a dispensing member, a fluid dispensing system, a vertical position sensing system, and a vertical position controller The fluid dispensing system is in fluid communication with an opening in the dispensing member via a tubular member. A vertical position sensing system, which includes a diffraction grating and a sensor, is engaged to the tubular member. The sensor is positioned adjacent the diffraction grating The diffraction grating is engaged to a vertical support, which is engaged to the tubular member. The sensor produces a vertical position signal based upon the position of the vertical support The vertical position controller is engaged to the vertical position sensing system, and receives a control signal generated from the vertical position signal. The vertical position controller produces and applies vertical forces to the vertical support in response to the control signal. | 12-17-2009 |
20100249604 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING A MOTOR DISTALLY-POSITIONED WITHIN A CATHETER OF AN INTRAVASCULAR ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging core, that is configured and arranged for insertion into a catheter, includes a mirror disposed at a distal end of a rotatable driveshaft; a motor coupled to the driveshaft and including a rotatable magnet and at least two magnetic field windings disposed around at least a portion of the magnet on a rigid slotted material; and at least one fixed transducer positioned between the motor and the rotatable mirror. The driveshaft extends through an aperture in the magnet to allow passage of the driveshaft through the at least one transducer to the rotatable mirror. At least one transducer conductor is electrically coupled to the at least one transducer and in electrical communication with the proximal end of the catheter. At least one motor conductor is electrically coupled to the magnetic field windings and in electrical communication with the proximal end of the catheter. | 09-30-2010 |
20100275432 | LOCKING ELEMENT FOR VASCULAR CLOSURE DEVICE - In one illustrative example, a device for sealing an opening in a vessel wall and/or tissue tract may include an anchor, a filament, a plug, and a knot. The anchor may be configured to be disposed adjacent to an interior surface of the vessel wall adjacent the opening in the vessel wall. The filament may have a distal end coupled to the anchor and may be configured to extend proximally through the vessel opening and/or tissue tract. The plug may be disposed about at least a portion of the filament member. The knot may be disposed about the filament proximal of the plug and may be configured to move over the filament and secure the plug relative to the anchor. The knot may be independent of the filament member. | 11-04-2010 |
20110004297 | TRANSLUMENAL APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD - Methods, apparatus, and systems for altering the configuration of a heart valve. Methods, apparatus, and systems include the use of a cord delivered into the heart by a delivery catheter that can be manipulated by a receiving catheter so as to improve the heart valve function. | 01-06-2011 |
20110060405 | VENOUS VALVE APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD - A venous valve apparatus, system and method for valve replacement. The valve includes a valve frame, a valve leaflet joined to the valve frame, and a support frame. The valve leaflet includes surfaces defining a reversibly sealable opening for unidirectional flow of a liquid. The support frame meets the valve frame on an axis, where the valve frame and the support frame extend from the axis in an opposing direction. The system further includes a catheter, where the valve can be reversibly joined to the catheter at a location between a proximal end and a distal end of the catheter. The system can be used to deploy the valve from the catheter at a predetermined location. | 03-10-2011 |
20110071400 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING INTRAVASCULAR ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEMS WITH SEALED IMAGING CORES - A catheter assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes a catheter insertable into patient vasculature via a guidewire. A watertight imaging core is disposed in the distal end of the catheter. The imaging core includes a motor, at least one fixed transducer, and a signal redirection unit. The motor includes a magnet configured and arranged to rotate upon generation of a magnetic field by magnetic field windings. The signal redirection unit is coupled to the magnet such that rotation of the magnet causes a corresponding rotation of at least a portion of the signal redirection unit. The signal redirection unit includes a tilted mirror that redirects acoustic signals transmitted from the fixed transducer to patient tissue. At least one transducer conductor and at least one stator conductor are electrically coupled to the imaging core and in electrical communication with the proximal end of the catheter. | 03-24-2011 |
20110144479 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE POSITION AND ORIENTATION OF MEDICAL DEVICES INSERTED INTO A PATIENT - A medical device system includes an elongated body with a distal end that is configured and arranged for insertion into a patient. A housing is disposed in the distal end of the body. A rotatable magnet is disposed in the housing. At least one magnetic field winding is configured and arranged to generate a magnetic field at the location of the magnet. The magnetic field causes rotation of the magnet at a target frequency. An array of magnetic field sensors is disposed external to the patient. The magnetic field sensors are configured and arranged to sense the location and orientation of the magnet in relation to the array of magnetic field sensors. | 06-16-2011 |
20110152999 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING PERCUTANEOUSLY-DELIVERED PUMPING SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING HEMODYNAMIC SUPPORT - A percutaneous pumping system for providing hemodynamic support to a patient includes a pumping sleeve that defines a lumen extending along the length of the pumping sleeve. The pumping sleeve is configured and arranged for insertion into patient vasculature. At least one rotatable magnet is disposed in the pumping sleeve. The at least one first magnet is configured and arranged to be driven to rotate by a magnetic field generated external to the pumping sleeve. At least one impeller is coupled to the at least one magnet. Rotation of the at least one magnet causes a corresponding rotation of the at least one impeller. An anchoring arrangement is coupled to the pumping sleeve. The anchoring arrangement is configured and arranged to anchor the pumping sleeve at a target pumping location when the pumping sleeve is inserted into patient vasculature. | 06-23-2011 |
20110196388 | AUTOMATIC VASCULAR CLOSURE DEPLOYMENT DEVICES AND METHODS - Methods of installing a vascular closure device, the vascular closure device adapted for sealing an opening in biological tissue and comprising an anchor, a compressible plug, a cinch and a suture, the method comprising the steps of providing an insertion sheath, inserting the insertion sheath into the opening in the biological tissue, providing a device sheath having the vascular closure device preloaded therein with a proximal portion of the suture attached to the device sheath, subsequent to the step of inserting the insertion sheath, inserting the device sheath into the insertion sheath, and retracting the insertion sheath and device sheath simultaneously, wherein during the retraction, the insertion sheath and the device sheath are fixed to one another and devices adapted to the methods. | 08-11-2011 |
20110245693 | INTRAVASCULAR PRESSURE SENSING - Devices, systems, and methods associated with pressure sensing are described herein. In one or more embodiments, an intravascular pressure sensing device includes a magnetic sensing element fixedly positioned within a sensor tube, a magnet located a distance from the magnetic sensing element within the sensor tube, the magnet movably positioned within the sensor tube via a ferrofluid magnetically attached to the magnet, and an amount of compressible fluid sealed between the magnetic sensing element and the magnet. | 10-06-2011 |
20120172727 | IMAGING SYSTEM - Techniques are described that allow intravascular ultrasound (“IVUS”) imaging of patient tissue, e.g., a blood vessel wall, to be performed at one or more angles selected by a clinician, for example. In one example, a method includes receiving user input, via interaction with a user interface, that defines a range of angles through which a scan will be performed, determining, based on the received user input, at least one current value to be applied to at least one lead of a stator of a motor, controlling application of the at least one current to the at least one lead of the stator in order to rotate a rotor of the motor through the range of angles, and through the range of angles, receiving and processing electrical signals from at least one transducer to form at least one image. | 07-05-2012 |
20120172871 | ULTRASOUND GUIDED TISSUE ABLATION - An imaging assembly comprises a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, an ablation tip at the distal end of the catheter, and an imaging device disposed within the ablation tip. The catheter defines a catheter lumen that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The catheter is configured and arranged for insertion into a body lumen such as a blood vessel or heart chamber. The ablation tip has a wall that defines a lumen in communication with the lumen of the catheter. The imaging device is disposed within the lumen of the ablation tip, and is configured to transmit pulsed acoustic waves for generating images of body tissue at a target ablation site within the body. | 07-05-2012 |
20120296419 | Annuloplasty Ring with Anchors Fixed by Curing Polymer - Annuloplasty rings and methods for inserting annuloplasty rings are herein disclosed. The annuloplasty ring has a ring shell and a plurality of anchoring fasteners for anchoring the ring shell to adjacent hear tissue. To maintain the shape of the annuloplasty ring upon attachment of the ring to the patient's heart, a hardening polymer is inserted into the ring shell, which is permitted to cure, thereby providing support for the annuloplasty ring and the patient's heart valve. | 11-22-2012 |
20130090578 | DEVICE AND METHODS FOR RENAL NERVE MODULATION - Systems for nerve modulation are disclosed. An example system may include a first elongate element having a distal end and a proximal end and having at least one transducer disposed adjacent the distal end. The transducer may be an ultrasound transducer. Activation of the transducer may radiate acoustic energy from in two directions simultaneously. | 04-11-2013 |
20130123625 | INTEGRATED ULTRASOUND ABLATION AND IMAGING DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS - Intravascular nerve modulation systems and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example system may include an elongate shaft having a proximal end region and a distal end region and a central longitudinal axis. An ablation transducer may be disposed at the distal end region. The system may also include a rotational drive configured to rotate the ablation transducer about the central longitudinal axis. A control and power system may be operably connected to the ablation transducer and the rotational drive. In some instances, the ablation transducer may be a combined ablation and imaging transducer. | 05-16-2013 |
20130123778 | DEVICE AND METHODS FOR RENAL NERVE MODULATION MONITORING - Systems and methods for monitoring and performing tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include an elongate shaft having a distal end region and a proximal end and having at least one modulation element and one sensing electrode disposed adjacent to the distal end region. The sensing electrode may be used to determine and monitor changes in tissue adjacent to the modulation element. | 05-16-2013 |
20130238018 | AUTOMATIC VASCULAR CLOSURE DEPLOYMENT DEVICES AND METHODS - Methods of installing a vascular closure device, the vascular closure device adapted for sealing an opening in biological tissue and comprising an anchor, a compressible plug, a cinch and a suture, the method comprising the steps of providing an insertion sheath, inserting the insertion sheath into the opening in the biological tissue, providing a device sheath having the vascular closure device preloaded therein with a proximal portion of the suture attached to the device sheath, subsequent to the step of inserting the insertion sheath, inserting the device sheath into the insertion sheath, and retracting the insertion sheath and device sheath simultaneously, wherein during the retraction, the insertion sheath and the device sheath are fixed to one another and devices adapted to the methods. | 09-12-2013 |
20140031857 | EMBOLIC PROTECTION FILTER FOR TRANSCATHETER AORTIC VALVE REPLACEMENT AND USES THEREOF - The disclosure pertains to an embolic protection device for use within the aorta which is well suited to prevent debris from entering the brachiocephalic artery, or right common carotid artery, the left common carotid, and the left subclavian artery during medical procedures within the heart while maintaining access to an interventional site within the heart and methods of use therefor. The embolic protection device also reduces release of debris into the downstream vasculature. | 01-30-2014 |
20140081244 | PRESSURE SENSING GUIDEWIRE - Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device includes a pressure sensing guidewire. The pressure sensing guidewire may include an elongate shaft including a core wire having a distal portion and a coil disposed over the distal portion. A pressure sensor may be disposed along the distal portion of the core wire and within the coil. One or more leads may be coupled to the pressure sensor. An opening may be formed in the coil that provides access to the pressure sensor. | 03-20-2014 |
20140081301 | NERVE MODULATION SYSTEM - Systems for nerve and tissue modulation are disclosed. An example system may include a first elongate element having a distal end and a proximal end and having at least one nerve modulation element disposed adjacent the distal end. The nerve modulation element may be positioned or moveable to target a particular tissue region. The nerve modulation element may be an ultrasound transducer. | 03-20-2014 |
20140207229 | Venous Valve Apparatus, System, and Method - A venous valve with a tubular frame that includes an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface and defining a lumen, and a cover over at least the outer surface of the tubular frame, where the cover includes surfaces defining a reversibly sealable opening for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the lumen. A system with the venous valve and a catheter including a proximal end and a distal end, the venous valve located between the proximal end and distal end of the catheter. A method including forming the venous valve and reversibly joining the venous valve and a catheter. A method including positioning at least part of the catheter including the venous valve at a predetermined location and deploying the venous valve from the catheter at the predetermined location. | 07-24-2014 |
20140330069 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING PERCUTANEOUSLY- DELIVERED PUMPING SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING HEMODYNAMIC SUPPORT - A percutaneous pumping system for providing hemodynamic support to a patient includes a pumping sleeve that defines a lumen extending along the length of the pumping sleeve. The pumping sleeve is configured and arranged for insertion into patient vasculature. At least one rotatable magnet is disposed in the pumping sleeve. The at least one first magnet is configured and arranged to be driven to rotate by a magnetic field generated external to the pumping sleeve. At least one impeller is coupled to the at least one magnet. Rotation of the at least one magnet causes a corresponding rotation of the at least one impeller. An anchoring arrangement is coupled to the pumping sleeve. The anchoring arrangement is configured and arranged to anchor the pumping sleeve at a target pumping location when the pumping sleeve is inserted into patient vasculature. | 11-06-2014 |