Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100069940 | Ultrasonic Device for Fingertip Control - An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprises a handpiece and an ultrasonically actuated blade distal to the handpiece. The instrument includes an activation member that is operable to selectively activate the blade and a controller that is operable to select the energy level at which the blade will be activated. The activation member may comprise capacitive switches; resistive sensors; resonant cavity switching technology; infrared sensing technology; technology that uses a resonant, standing wave on a surface that is perturbed by the presence of a finger; and/or any other suitable type of technology. The controller may comprise the same. The controller may permit selection from three or more available ultrasonic energy levels. The activation member and/or controller may be manipulated from various longitudinal positions on the handpiece and/or various rotational positions about the handpiece, such that the handpiece may be gripped in a variety of ways. | 03-18-2010 |
20110071557 | SYMMETRICAL DRIVE SYSTEM FOR AN IMPLANTABLE RESTRICTION DEVICE - An apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient's organ or duct includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end. A fastener is disposed on the first end of the elongated member. The fastener is configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a loop around the organ or duct. A tension element is disposed for movement within the elongated member. A symmetrical drive system including a drive element associated with and engaging the tension element for causing the tension element to control the tension applied by the elongated member against a patient's body organ or duct is further provided. In accordance with an alternate embodiment an apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient's organ or duct including an elongated member having a first end and a second end. A fastener is disposed on the first end of the elongated member. The fastener is configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a loop around the organ or duct. A tension element is disposed for movement within the elongated member. The tension element is composed of a flexible first member and a flexible second member, wherein the flexible first member is movable relative to the flexible second member. A drive element is associated with and engages the tension element for causing the tension element to control the tension applied by the elongated member against a patient's body organ or duct. | 03-24-2011 |
20110071646 | TISSUE INTERFACE FOR IMPLANTABLE RESTRICTION SYSTEM - An apparatus for regulating the functioning of a patient's organ or duct includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end. The elongated member has a compressible ventral surface and a substantially rigid dorsal periphery, wherein the elongated member includes a fluid bladder positioned along the ventral surface. A fastener is disposed on the first end of the elongated member. The fastener is configured to engage the second end of the elongated member so that the elongated member forms a loop around the organ or duct. A tension element is disposed for movement within the elongated member. A drive element is associated with and engages the tension element for causing the tension element to control the tension applied by the elongated member against a patient's body organ or duct. Alternate embodiments are also disclosed. | 03-24-2011 |
20110144419 | Support Apparatus for Gastric Band System Injector - A support apparatus connects with and provides fluid communication between a needle and a syringe. The support apparatus includes at least one arm that is configured to provide cantilever support of the needle and syringe while the needle is inserted in a patient. The arm engages the patient's skin, and may be rigid, malleable, hinged, stretchable, telescoping, and/or have other properties. The support apparatus may form part of an adapter that also includes a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor senses the pressure of fluid in a gastric band system when the needle is inserted in an injection port of the gastric band system. A cable may extend from the pressure sensor to a display device, and may include markings configured to provide measurement from the needle to a patient's xyphoid process. Such a measurement may be factored into a calculation to account for hydrostatic pressure differences in pressure readings. | 06-16-2011 |
20110144420 | Apparatus for Completing Implantation of Gastric Band - An instrument comprises a handle, an articulating shaft, an end effector, and a translatable hook member. The shaft defines a side aperture, proximal to an articulating section of the shaft, through which the hook member protrudes when the hook member is translated distally. The end effector is used to form a retrogastric tunnel through blunt dissection in tissue near a patient's gastro-esophageal junction; and then to pull a gastric band through the tunnel to position the gastric band about the gastro-esophageal junction. The end effector is then used to hold a first portion of the gastric band in place while the hook member is extended distally to engage a second portion of the gastric band. The hook member may then be retracted proximally to couple the second portion of the gastric band with the first portion of the gastric band, thereby latching the gastric band in place. | 06-16-2011 |
20110144597 | Needle Targeting Apparatus for Implanted Device - A needle targeting apparatus comprises a sense head configured to locate an implanted device and a guide. The guide is associated with the sense head and comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, and a support member. The support member comprises a channel extending through the support member that provides access to an injection site. In some versions, a needle targeting apparatus comprises a locating feature, an alignment feature, and a support feature. The locating feature is configured to locate an implanted device. The alignment feature is configured to align a syringe needle with the implanted device. The support feature is configured to support a syringe upon insertion of the syringe needle into the implanted device. In some versions, a needle targeting apparatus comprises a sense head configured to locate an implanted device and a guide. The guide is configured to identify the center of the sense head. | 06-16-2011 |
20110152901 | Implantable Port with Vibratory Feedback - A system includes an adjustable gastric band coupled with an injection port. The port includes sensors, a plate beneath a septum, and a vibration generator in communication with the sensors. A first sensor detects palpation through a patient's skin when the injection port is implanted in the patient. The vibration generator provides a vibratory response to detected palpation, thereby providing haptic feedback to a physician who is attempting to locate the injection port by palpating the patient. A second sensor detects a needle striking the plate, and the vibration generator provides a vibratory response to a detected needle strike. The vibration generator thereby provides haptic feedback to a physician to confirm that the needle has been successfully inserted through the septum. A pressure sensor may be used to provide vibratory feedback to the patient to indicate that an adjustment to the band is needed. | 06-23-2011 |
20110172687 | Telemetry Device with Software User Input Features - An implantable restriction device is configured to provide a restriction in a patient. A pressure sensor implanted in the patient is configured to sense pressure associated with the restriction device. A remote input device is configured to wirelessly receive pressure measurements from the pressure sensor and transmit the pressure measurements to a display device. The display device is configured to plot the pressure measurements as a function of time. The remote input device also includes buttons that may be used to annotate the pressure measurements, such as to indicate physical events associated with the patient (e.g., coughing, sneezing, etc.). The display device is also configured to display the annotations on or near the plot of pressure measurements. A viewer may thus take the annotations into account when evaluating the pressure measurements, such as by ignoring pressure measurements associated with certain types of annotations. | 07-14-2011 |
20110306967 | COOLING CONFIGURATIONS FOR ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS - In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is provided that may comprise an end effector comprising at least one energy delivery surface and cooling means for cooling at least a portion of the end effector. For example, in at least one embodiment, a surgical instrument may comprise a handle, an elongate shaft operably coupling the handle to the end effector, and a pump operably coupled to the handle. In such embodiments, the pump may be configured to cause a fluid to move through the elongate shaft and over at least a portion of the end effector. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, a surgical kit is provided that may comprise a surgical instrument and a cap configured to receive at least a portion of the surgical instrument's end effector. In such embodiments, the cap may be sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the end effector. Moreover, the cap may be sized and configured to fit through a trocar. | 12-15-2011 |
20120022526 | ELECTROSURGICAL CUTTING AND SEALING INSTRUMENT - A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise a jaw member comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to supply energy from a power source to captured tissue. The surgical instrument comprises a tissue-cutting element to transect the captured tissue. The rate of distal translation of the tissue-cutting element during the operational stroke is regulated by at least one biasing member, such as a spring, for example. | 01-26-2012 |
20120022527 | ELECTROSURGICAL CUTTING AND SEALING INSTRUMENT - A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise a jaw member comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to supply energy from a power source to captured tissue. The surgical instrument comprises a tissue-cutting element to transect the captured tissue. The rate of distal translation of the tissue-cutting element during the operational stroke may be regulated by a damper. The damper may have barrel and a plunger. | 01-26-2012 |
20120022530 | ELECTROSURGICAL CUTTING AND SEALING INSTRUMENT - A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue can comprise a jaw member comprising an electrode, wherein the electrode is configured to supply energy from a power source to captured tissue. The surgical instrument comprises a tissue-cutting element to transect the captured tissue. The surgical instrument may have a indicator to provide feedback signals during the operational stroke. The feedback signals assist in regulating the rate of distal translation of the tissue-cutting element. | 01-26-2012 |
20120108892 | GASTRIC BAND DEVICE AND METHOD - An apparatus for forming a gastric restriction includes an implantable band and at least one tab. In some versions, the at least one tab may serve to stabilize the apparatus as it forms a gastric restriction. In some versions, an opening may be formed in the tabs such that sutures may be used. In some versions, a tissue scaffold and/or matrix may be used on the implantable band and/or the tabs to facilitate long term support for the implantable band, such as by substantially preventing the implantable band from sliding along an axis defined by an anatomical structure about which the implantable band is wrapped. | 05-03-2012 |
20120123194 | PRESSURE LIMITING DEVICE FOR GASTRIC BAND ADJUSTMENT - A pressure sensing or monitoring device may be used with an implantable band system. In some versions, the device may be used with a syringe. The device may comprise a visual indicator for monitoring pressure. The device may govern operation of the syringe by setting a threshold pressure to limit the amount of pressure applied to an implantable band system by the syringe. | 05-17-2012 |
20120123195 | GASTRIC BAND WITH ASYMMETRICAL MEMBER - An apparatus comprises a strap and an inflatable bladder secured to the strap. The apparatus is sized and configured to wrap along a first plane to encompass an anatomical feature such as an esophagus or stomach. The bladder may have a cross-sectional profile that is asymmetric about the first plane, such as a tapered profile or a contoured profile. The wall thickness of the bladder may be substantially uniform or may vary about the perimeter of the bladder. The bladder may include an expansion section that allows the bladder to transition from having a substantially flat cross-sectional configuration in a non-inflated state to having a substantially tapered cross-sectional configuration an inflated state. The expansion section may include folds, pleats, gussets, or the like. The strap may have a cross-sectional profile that is asymmetric about the first plane. Such a strap may include annular ribs of varying sizes. | 05-17-2012 |
20120123197 | Implantable injection port with tissue in-growth promoter - A surgically implantable injection port has a tissue in-growth promoting surface associated with a fluid conduit that is coupled to the injection port. The injection port includes a housing, a fluid reservoir defined in part by the housing, a needle penetrable septum, a fluid conduit in communication with the reservoir, and a tissue in-growth promoting surface coupled to the fluid conduit. The tissue in-growth promoting surface may be provided by surgical mesh wrapped around the conduit or through which the conduit is threaded. The injection port and the fluid conduit may be used as part of a gastric band system or some other type of system. | 05-17-2012 |
20120123198 | PORT WITH CONDUIT WRAPAROUND FEATURE - An injection port includes a port body having a fluid reservoir and a connector in fluid communication with the reservoir. The injection port further includes a conduit protection feature that is configured to protect against kinking of the conduit, decoupling of the conduit from the connector, or penetration of the conduit by a needle. The protection feature may include an anchor for anchoring the conduit to tissue to reduce conduit movement. The protection feature may include a recess that is configured to receive part of the conduit. The protection feature may include a bend formed in the connector to reduce transverse stresses in the conduit. The protection feature may include a bell-shaped shroud encompassing the connector. A sleeve may further protect the conduit and/or the coupling between the connector and the conduit. | 05-17-2012 |
20120123342 | IMPLANTABLE INJECTION PORT WITH TISSUE IN-GROWTH PROMOTER - A surgically implantable injection port has one or more tissue in-growth promoting surfaces. The injection port includes a housing, a fluid reservoir defined in part by the housing, a needle penetrable septum, and a tissue in-growth promoting surface integrally provided on an exterior surface of the port. The tissue in-growth promoting surface may be provided by surgical mesh or a textured surface on the injection port. The injection port may be used as part of a gastric band system or some other type of system. | 05-17-2012 |
20120184946 | ERGONOMIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS - A surgical instrument comprising a trigger configured to be actuated by a proximally directed force and by a distally directed force. The trigger may comprise a proximal trigger portion having a first length and a distal trigger hook comprising a distal portion having a second length. The second length may be less than the first length. The distal trigger hook may be coupled to the proximal trigger portion. | 07-19-2012 |