Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140094735 | VALVE SYSTEM AND METHOD WITH MULTI-DIRECTIONAL PUMPING - An implantable valve system and method of using same, including a housing with a resilient membrane defining a reservoir in fluid communication with at least two ports, and at least a first set of opposing sealing features disposed on upper and lower surfaces within the housing. The membrane is capable of being depressed by a human finger to bring the sealing features together to substantially restrict fluid from passing through at least one of one of the ports, and is capable of being depressed additionally by a rolling motion of the finger to drive fluid through the other of the ports. | 04-03-2014 |
20140073859 | LOW PROFILE, MULTI PROBE, CRANIAL FIXATION DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE - A system for securing an implantable probe or lead within a brain of a patient includes a burr hole cap, an elongated sheath, an elongated dilator and a plurality of elongated probes. The burr hole cap has an approximately cylindrical portion, a proximal end and a distal end. A flange portion of the burr hole cap is disposed at the proximal end. A septum is disposed within the cylindrical portion. The elongated sheath has a lumen extending therein. The elongated dilator is disposed within the lumen of the sheath. The dilator has a longitudinal length that is greater than the longitudinal length of the sheath. When the dilator is disposed in the lumen of the peelable sheath, the dilator and sheath may pierce into and through the septum. Each of the plurality of elongated probes are disposed within the lumen of the sheath. The probe has a longitudinal length that is greater than the longitudinal length of the sheath. | 03-13-2014 |
20130317410 | CATHETER CURVATURE BRACES AND METHODS OF USING SAME - A catheter curvature brace, catheter assembly and method for managing fluid in a patient, the brace being attachable to a distal portion of a shaft of a catheter and having an elongated frame with a distal end and a proximal end. The frame is formed with at least one curve in a relaxed curved configuration. At least two coupling elements are connected to the frame, each coupling element configured to engage an outer surface of the catheter. At least the frame is formed of an elastic, biocompatible material capable of being straightened by a force and then returning to the relaxed curved configuration after the force is removed, thereby bending the catheter to substantially conform to the relaxed curved configuration. | 11-28-2013 |
20130253266 | FLUID MANAGEMENT CATHETER AND METHODS OF USING SAME - A catheter and method for managing fluid in a patient, the catheter having an elongated shaft with a distal end and a proximal end. The shaft defines at least one lumen extending substantially therethrough, the shaft further defining a plurality of drainage holes along a distal portion of the shaft, with the drainage holes in fluid communication with the lumen. The catheter further has a substantially transparent tip portion attached to the distal end of the shaft with an outer distal leading surface that is substantially rounded to assist insertion through tissue. | 09-26-2013 |
20130226068 | WIRELESS SHUNTS WITH STORAGE - Devices and methods useful for storing and retrieving information related to a medical device such as an implantable valve or an implantable sensor are disclosed. An implantable valve can include a valve housing adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough between a valve inlet and a valve outlet. A valve assembly can be disposed within the valve housing and adapted to control a rate of fluid flowing through the valve housing. The implantable valve can also include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the valve housing, adapted to store data, and including an antenna for communicating stored data to an external reading device. The RFID tag can store data related to, for example, a patient, a pressure setting of the valve assembly, and/or pressure sensor disposed within the valve. The RFID tag can also store an identifier that identifies the implantable valve, a pressure sensor disposed in the valve housing, a patient associated with the implantable valve, and/or patient clinical history. | 08-29-2013 |
20130152651 | STYLET HAVING A ROUGHENED OUTER SURFACE - A stylet has a proximal end a distal end and an outer surface. The stylet is substantially cylindrical. The outer surface of the stylet is treated, or roughened, preferably by a glass peening or a bead blasting operation, such that its maximum profile peak height is greater than 30 μm, its roughness average is greater than 5 μm, and its root mean square roughness is greater than 8 μm. This results in reducing the removal force of the treated stylet from a silicone catheter. | 06-20-2013 |
20130150861 | RONGEUR WITH DETACHABLE TIPS - A rongeur has an elongated shank having a distal end and a proximal end. An elongated crossbar, which moves between a retracted position and a tissue capturing position position, has a distal end and a proximal end and reciprocates axially with respect to the shank. A first tip is selectively connected to the shank. The first tip has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has a reduced diameter post. In the selectively connected position, the reduced diameter post of the first tip is received in a bore of the shank. A second tip is selectively connected to the crossbar. The second tip has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has a reduced diameter post. In the selectively connected position, the reduced diameter post of the second tip is received in a bore of the crossbar. | 06-13-2013 |
20130131785 | RADIOPAQUE MARKERS FOR IMPLANTABLE STENTS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Radiopaque markers for use with stents implantable within a body vessel are provided with one or more through-holes. Each through-hole extends through the thickness of the marker to expose a portion of the stent underlying the marker. The marker is welded to the stent through each through-hole. Also provided are stents incorporating a radiopaque marker having one or more through-holes suitable for receiving a plug weld. Methods are provided for securing a radiopaque marker having one or more through-holes to a stent via welds. | 05-23-2013 |
20130099081 | UNIVERSAL ARM SYSTEM - A universal arm has a proximal end, a distal end and a middle portion therebetween. The middle portion has a plurality of interconnected ball and socket pieces. A plurality of clamps are selectively fixedly connected to the distal end of the universal arm by a connection that permits the selective rotation of each one of the plurality of clamps by 360° with respect to the distal end of the universal arm. | 04-25-2013 |
20130096484 | IMPLANTABLE ADJUSTABLE VALVE - A valve unit capable of being implanted in a patient and having adjustable performance settings, such as pressure settings and/or flow control, to regulate passage of a bodily fluid. A casing defines a port for the bodily fluid, and a valve mechanism positioned at the port includes a movable valve member. The valve unit further includes a rotor disposed at a first location in the casing and having an axle which turns about an axis of rotation. The rotor defines a plurality of arcuate, radially flat cam surfaces. Each cam surface occupies an arc about the axis of rotation. A spring arm unit is disposed at a second location in the casing having a cam follower arm in slidable contact with the cam surfaces of the rotor and having a resilient spring element applying a closing effect with the movable valve member to establish a performance setting for the valve unit. Sufficient rotation of the rotor to change the cam surface in contact with the cam follower alters the closing effect with which the valve member moves relative to the port and thereby alters the performance setting of the valve unit. | 04-18-2013 |
20130082157 | RETRACTOR RING HOLDER - A retractor ring assembly includes a ring holder that has a first selectively engaged connection and a second selectively engaged connection. A first and second ring portion each has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the first and second ring portions are selectively connected to the respective first and second selectively engaged connections of the ring holder. The distal end of the first ring portion has a third selectively engaged connection. The distal end of the second ring portion has a fourth selectively engaged connection. The third selectively engaged connection and the fourth selectively engaged connection are connectable to form a reinforced closed ring configuration, and are disconnectable to form an open ring configuration. | 04-04-2013 |
20130079864 | DISTAL DETACHMENT MECHANISMS FOR VASCULAR DEVICES - A system for delivering an expandable implant into the vasculature of a patient, including an elongated core element having a proximal end accessible exterior to the patient and a distal end including at least one feature for engaging a proximal portion of the implant in a collapsed state. The system further includes an expansion limiter having an inner diameter and a length sufficient to cover the proximal portion of the implant and to retain the proximal portion in the collapsed state, and at least one elongated member having a distal end connected to the expansion limiter and a proximal end accessible exterior to the patient to enable proximal movement of the expansion limiter to release the implant. | 03-28-2013 |
20130006345 | METHOD OF USING INTERVENTIONAL MEDICAL DEVICE SYSTEM HAVING AN ELONGATION RETARDING PORTION - Use of an interventional medical device system operable while within a body vessel is provided with a generally hollow tubular proximal portion, distal portion, and intermediate portion. The proximal portion and at least part of the distal portion remains outside of the body in use, with the remainder of the distal portion positioned within the body. The intermediate portion includes a spiral ribbon having adjacent turns, with at least one frangible bridge member between two adjacent turns. The proximal and distal portions are movable away from each other by elongating the spiral ribbon and, eventually, breaking the frangible bridge member. According to the method of using such a system to deploy an implantable medical device, such as an embolic coil, an actuation member is moved proximally with the proximal portion to disengage a bond or joint between the actuation member and the implantable medical device. | 01-03-2013 |
20120253381 | OCCLUSIVE DEVICE WITH POROUS STRUCTURE AND STRETCH RESISTANT MEMBER - A stretch-resistant occlusive device having an elongated, substantially cylindrical porous elastomeric structure and at least one of an elongated stretch-resistant tube and at least one stretch-resistant filament. The porous structure lies within an elongated outer embolic structure such as a helically wound embolic coil. | 10-04-2012 |
20120253377 | MODIFIABLE OCCLUSION DEVICE - An occlusive device suitable for endovascular treatment of an aneurysm in a region of a parent vessel in a patient, including a structure having a fixed porosity and having dimensions suitable for insertion into vasculature of the patient to reach the region of the aneurysm in the parent vessel. The device further includes a frangible material supported by the structure which initially provides a substantial barrier to flow through the frangible material and is capable of at least one of localized rupturing and localized eroding, in the presence of a pressure differential arising at an ostium of a perforator vessel communicating with the parent vessel, within an acute time period to minimize ischemia downstream of the perforator vessel. | 10-04-2012 |
20120157921 | Catheter For Reduced Reflux in Targeted Tissue Delivery of a Therapeutic Agent - A therapeutic agent delivery system that includes a catheter having a proximal end and an opposite distal end. The catheter has a body with a lumen defined therein. The body of the catheter includes a non-bulbous region having a substantially uniform outer diameter and a bulbous region made from an elastically deformable material. While in a first state the bulbous region has a maximum outer diameter greater than the substantially uniform outer diameter of the non-bulbous region; and while in a second state the maximum outer diameter of the bulbous region is reduced relative to that while in the first state. | 06-21-2012 |
20120078159 | MULTI-LUMEN VENTRICULAR DRAINAGE CATHETER - A shunt includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a flow control mechanism disposed within the housing. A ventricular catheter is connected to the inlet of the housing. The catheter has a longitudinal length, a proximal end, a distal end, and an inner lumen extending therethrough. The inner lumen of the catheter includes at least two lumens at the distal end and has only one lumen at the proximal end. The catheter has one slit and aperture corresponding to each of the at least two lumens located at the distal end of the catheter. | 03-29-2012 |
20120046596 | PROGRAMMABLE SHUNT WITH ELECTROMECHANICAL VALVE ACTUATOR - Devices and methods for regulating and directing bodily fluids from one region of a patient to another region are disclosed. In general, an apparatus is provided that can include an implantable shunt system and a system controller. The implantable shunt system can have an adjustable valve for regulating the flow of fluid, a sensor element for measuring a physiological characteristic of a patient, and an electromechanical valve actuator that can be adapted to adjust a resistance of the valve. The implantable shunt system can be in electrical communication with the system controller. The system controller can generally be adapted to receive a physiological characteristic of the patient and operate the electromechanical valve actuator to adjust a resistance of the valve. The apparatus can also include an external programming device that is in communication with the system controller. | 02-23-2012 |
20120046595 | IMPLANTABLE ADJUSTABLE VALVE - A valve unit capable of being implanted in a patient and having adjustable performance settings, such as pressure settings and/or flow control, to regulate passage of a bodily fluid. A casing defines a port for the bodily fluid, and a valve mechanism positioned at the port includes a movable valve member. The valve unit further includes a rotor disposed at a first location in the casing and having an axle which turns about an axis of rotation. The rotor defines a plurality of arcuate, radially flat cam surfaces. Each cam surface occupies an arc about the axis of rotation. A spring arm unit is disposed at a second location in the casing having a cam follower arm in slidable contact with the cam surfaces of the rotor and having a resilient spring element applying a closing effect with the movable valve member to establish a performance setting for the valve unit. Sufficient rotation of the rotor to change the cam surface in contact with the cam follower alters the closing effect with which the valve member moves relative to the port and thereby alters the performance setting of the valve unit. | 02-23-2012 |
20120015006 | FLOWABLE COLLAGEN MATERIAL FOR DURAL CLOSURE - Flowable graft materials are provided which comprise collagen powder and a liquid in an amount sufficient to impart a flowable consistency to the material. The graft materials are sufficiently formable and pliable so as to provide both superior contact with and easier access to a surgical site than typical, more rigid grafts such as collagen sheets. These flowable materials may also be in a fluidized, paste-like and/or gel-like state and may be moldable and/or ejectable. The flowable collagen materials reduce and/or eliminate post implantation problems associated with other materials, e.g. synthetic dural sealants (hemostasis products), such as product swelling after application and implantation. The flowable graft materials are particularly useful as a dural graft. | 01-19-2012 |
20110313443 | OCCLUSIVE DEVICE WITH STRETCH RESISTANT MEMBER AND ANCHOR FILAMENT - A stretch-resistant occlusive device, and method of manufacturing such a device, having a helically wound coil defining a coil lumen extending along the entire axial length of the coil from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion. The device further includes a headpiece having a proximal end, a distal end attached to the proximal end portion of the coil, and a headpiece lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends of the headpiece. An anchor filament extends through the headpiece lumen, has at least one proximal end secured to the proximal end of the headpiece, and has a distal portion defining an eye positioned distal to the distal end of the headpiece. A stretch resistant member is positioned within the coil lumen, has a proximal portion extending through the eye, and has at least one distal end secured to the distal end of the coil. | 12-22-2011 |
20110297307 | UNFUSED CATHETER BODY FEATURE METHODS OF MANUFACTURE - The disclosure is directed to manufacturing tubular bodies for catheters. An inner tubular catheter body has an inner layer, a braided portion over the inner layer and an outer layer. The outer layer is fused to the braided portion for a selected length or lengths of the inner tubular body and is unfused for a selected length or lengths to achieve the desired combination of stiffness and flexibility. | 12-08-2011 |
20110282380 | REATTACHABLE INTRODUCER FOR A MEDICAL DEVICE DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM - A reattachable introducer and method of using such introducer is disclosed for inserting an embolic coil deployment system into the tortuous vasculature of the human brain for placing an embolic coil within an aneurysm. The introducer includes a sheath having a lumen, a side opening and a longitudinal slit and includes a cylindrical sleeve slideably disposed about the sheath. A deployment catheter with a conical expander member is slideably disposed through the side opening of the sheath and through the lumen of the sheath. The conical expander member detaches the introducer from the deployment catheter through the longitudinal slit of the sheath, while the cylindrical sleeve reattaches the introducer to the deployment catheter through the longitudinal slit. | 11-17-2011 |
20110105994 | Tools and Methods for Programming an Implantable Valve - Integrated tools for noninvasively reading and adjusting an implantable, magnetically adjustable valve, and methods of use are disclosed. The tools include magnetic or electronic reading of the valve, and magnetic or electromagnetic adjustment of the valve. In use, the tools are positioned above or in contact with the patient's skin, in proximity to the valve. | 05-05-2011 |
20110092846 | Cerebral Compliance Monitoring - A system and method for monitoring cerebral compliance of a patient by placing a first pressure sensor in a first sub-dural location, preferably a sub-meningeal location, within the brain of the patient and placing at least a second pressure sensor in a second sub-dural location, preferably a sub-meningeal location, within the brain which is different from the first location. At least one parameter from each of the signals derived from the pressure sensors is compared to estimate cerebral compliance for the patient. Alternatively, at least a single pressure sensor is utilized with a generator of reference signals having at least two different frequencies. Preferably, any change in cerebral compliance is detected by determining a change in the compared parameter, and a perceptible indication is generated when cerebral compliance deviates beyond a pre-selected value. | 04-21-2011 |
20110060360 | Embolic Device Delivery System With Retractable Partially Coiled-Fiber Release - A medical device for placing an embolic device, such as an embolic coil, at a predetermined site within a vessel of the body including a delivery catheter and a flexible pusher member slidably disposed within the lumen of the catheter. An embolic device having a headpiece coupled to the proximal end is releasably disposed within the distal end of the pusher member and retained in place by a retractable fiber, having a coiled distal portion. When the embolic device is advanced to the predetermined site within the vessel, the detachment fiber is retracted from around the headpiece of the embolic device to thereby release the embolic device. | 03-10-2011 |
20110040233 | WIRELESS PRESSURE SETTING INDICATOR - Devices and methods useful for non-invasively indicating the position or setting of a mechanical device, such as a sensor or control in an implanted medical device, are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a valve housing adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough is provided. The flow of fluid through the valve housing can be controlled, for example, by a valve assembly that has a plurality of predetermined pressure settings. A radio frequency tag can be disposed in the valve assembly, and the masking element and the radio frequency tag can be configured to move relative to one another. The relative positions of the masking element and the radio frequency tag can alter the response of the radio frequency tag to a wireless signal (which can be emitted from an external reading device, for example) and thereby indicate the pressure setting of the valve assembly. For example, in some embodiments, the masking element can selectively cover at least part of the radio frequency tag according to the pressure setting of the valve assembly, which can change a characteristic of the radio frequency tag's response to the wireless signal. | 02-17-2011 |
20100286723 | CHEMICALLY BASED VASCULAR OCCLUSION DEVICE DEPLOYMENT - A vascular occlusion device deployment system for placing an occlusion device at a preselected site within the vasculature of a patient. The deployment system employing a pusher having a lumen with an opening at the distal end of the pusher. A vascular occlusion device is connected to the distal end of the pusher by a portion that is removeably disposed within the opening. The portion of the occlusion device is forced out of the opening by an expandable reaction chamber, thereby deploying the occlusion device. | 11-11-2010 |
20100286585 | Shunt Delivery of Curcumin - A method for reducing or preventing a human brain disorder relating to the presence of a pathogenic substance in cerebrospinal fluid by selecting a human for treatment as a patient and placing a proximal end of a first catheter, having at least a first lumen, in a first sub-dural location within the brain of the patient to establish open communication between the first lumen and cerebrospinal fluid of the patient. For an extended period of time, a curcumin agent selected from at least one of curcumin, a curcumin hybrid and a curcumin analog is delivered to the cerebrospinal fluid to interact with the pathogenic substance to attenuate its effect on the brain. | 11-11-2010 |
20100280487 | METHOD OF REMOVING A STYLETTE FROM A CATHETER - A hydrophilic coated stylette is pre-loaded in an implantable catheter. The hydrophilic coated stylette is wetted with saline to activate the hydrophilic coating. The stylette loaded catheter is tunneled, typically through muscle and tissue, to a desired target site within the body. The hydrophilic coated stylette is then removed from the catheter while maintaining the catheter intact. The proximal end of the catheter can be connected to an outlet of an implantable infusion pump so that medicament can be delivered directly to the target site. | 11-04-2010 |
20100262179 | MODIFIED HEADPIECE FOR HYDRAULIC COIL DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM - A vascular occlusion device for use with a hydraulic deployment catheter is provided. The vascular occlusion device includes a headpiece that has a deformable interference element which changes from an initial configuration to a deformed configuration upon an increase of hydraulic pressure within the deployment catheter. When the interference element is in the initial configuration, the headpiece is secured to the deployment catheter, and when the interference element is in the deformed configuration, the headpiece can be removed from the deployment catheter for deployment of the occlusion device. | 10-14-2010 |
20100249690 | Tools And Methods For Programming An Implantable Valve - A two-part tool for reading and adjusting an implantable valve, and methods of use. The tool includes a locator-indicator component that, when placed matingly on the patient's skin over the valve, provides magnetic reading of the valve setting. The tool also includes an adjustor component that couples to the locator-indicator component and is rotatable to change a valve setting. | 09-30-2010 |
20100210913 | DISPOSABLE PADDING FOR A SELF-RETAINING RETRACTION DEVICE - A disposable cover for a retractor of a self-retaining retractor system has an elastic sheath that can be easily placed and removed by elastically engaging the blade and a disposable pad attached on the elastic sheath. The elastic sheath can be an open cylinder (band shaped) or closed at one end (sock shaped) and is sized to cover a majority of the different size and shaped retractor blades. The elastic sheath retains the disposable pad on the blade by elastic compressive force. A single elastic sheath must be elastic enough to accommodate multiple sized blades and retain them in a fixed position while the blade is approximately vertically disposed within patient. The elastic sheath can be made from latex, nylon or any other surgical grade elastic or elastic type product. | 08-19-2010 |
20100183700 | IMPLANTABLE PUMP FOR PROTEIN DELIVERY FOR OBESITY CONTROL BY DRUG INFUSION INTO THE BRAIN - Methods and compositions are provided for suppressing appetite by surgically implanting a drug infusion pump into a site in a subject, and delivering a stable suspension of an appetite suppressing agent a region in a central nervous system of the subject. The appetite suppressing agent binds to a target receptor on a neural cell in the central nervous system and modifies the receptor function to suppress appetite. | 07-22-2010 |
20100137968 | STENT DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED RETRACTION MEMBER - An expandable stent and delivery system is provided for treating body vessel defects, such as partially occluded blood vessels and aneurysms. The delivery system includes a core member having a non-cylindrical retraction member with extending portions configured to extend between struts of the stent. The stent includes enlarged anchor members that cooperate with the retraction member to secure the stent to the core member for movement within a delivery catheter and deployment to a body vessel defect. The extending portions provide a greater contact area than would be possible with a cylindrical retraction member, which is especially beneficial when retracting a partially deployed stent into the catheter. | 06-03-2010 |
20100087527 | Curcumin Derivatives - The present invention is directed to a compound represented by Structural Formula (I): | 04-08-2010 |
20100010415 | HIGH PRESSURE RANGE HYDROCEPHALUS VALVE SYSTEM - A valve for use in a shunt system to drain fluid from one part of a patient's body to another is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the valve is operable at a threshold pressure that is selectively adjustable up to at least about 400 mm H | 01-14-2010 |
20090326519 | MULTIPLE LUMEN SENSOR ATTACHMENT - A cranial bolt secured to a skull of a patient includes a threaded portion and a lumen portion. Threaded portion has an inner surface forming a central passageway which extends throughout the threaded portion. The inner surface includes a connector mating with the lumen portion. The threaded portion has an outer surface having a plurality of threads for engaging a hole formed in the patient's skull. The lumen portion includes a stem portion that enters the central passageway and engages the mating connector. A fluid tight seal is formed between the inner surface of the threaded portion and the stem portion. At least two lumens are disposed through the stem portion and the base portion. The lumens have a proximal end opening outside the skull and a distal end opening inside the skull. One embodiment includes sensor lumens diverging from the centerline and another allows lumen portion to rotate independent of threaded portion. | 12-31-2009 |
20090270759 | System and Method for Measuring the Pressure of a Fluid System Within a Patient - A pressure sensing apparatus has a pressure sensor component that includes a pressure sensing port, a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure of a fluid in the pressure sensing port, and a digital processor communicating with the pressure sensor for performing calculations involving fluid pressures sensed. The pressure sensing apparatus further includes a first chamber in fluid contact with the pressure sensing port, a second chamber fluidically connectable with a patient's cerebrospinal fluid system, and a membrane located between the first and second chambers so as to transmit fluid pressure from the second chamber to the first chamber. | 10-29-2009 |
20090269413 | FLOWABLE COLLAGEN MATERIAL FOR DURAL CLOSURE - Flowable graft materials are provided which comprise collagen powder and a liquid in an amount sufficient to impart a flowable consistency to the material. The graft materials are sufficiently formable and pliable so as to provide both superior contact with and easier access to a surgical site than typical, more rigid grafts such as collagen sheets. These flowable materials may also be in a fluidized, paste-like and/or gel-like state and may be moldable and/or ejectable. The flowable collagen materials reduce and/or eliminate post implantation problems associated with other materials, e.g. synthetic dural sealants (hemostasis products), such as product swelling after application and implantation. The flowable graft materials are particularly useful as a dural graft. | 10-29-2009 |
20090156960 | PRESSURE SENSING VALVE - A pressure sensing catheter having a pressure sensor and an antenna that is coupled to the pressure sensor, e.g., by a connector, are provided. The pressure sensor can be adapted to measure a pressure surrounding the catheter, and the antenna can be adapted to telemetrically communicate the measured pressure to an external device. In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna, pressure sensor, and/or connector are hermetically sealed, e.g., by the catheter and/or a coating, to prevent the antenna, pressure sensor, and connector from coming into contact with fluid, thereby allowing the catheter to be permanently implanted or otherwise used for long term use. Exemplary methods for manufacturing and using pressure sensing catheters are also provided. | 06-18-2009 |
20090112103 | Wireless Pressure Sensing Shunts - Devices and methods useful for sensing or measuring a pressure and remotely indicating or communicating that pressure are provided. The devices and methods have particular utility in sensing pressures in implantable medical devices and more particularly in hydrocephalus shunts. In one exemplary embodiment, an implantable valve can include a housing having a reservoir adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough between an inlet port and an outlet port. The implantable valve can also include a needle-penetrable septum to allow fluid delivery to the reservoir and/or a needle guard disposed within the housing and adapted to protect the radio frequency tag from a needle penetrating into the housing. A radio frequency (RF) tag can be disposed within the reservoir and can be adapted to change one or more of its electromagnetic characteristics in response pressure applied thereto by fluid in or flowing through the reservoir. The RF tag can produce a response to a wireless signal characterized by the one or more electromagnetic characteristics that correlates to a pressure of fluid in or flowing through the reservoir. | 04-30-2009 |
20090088730 | Catheter for reduced reflux in targeted tissue delivery of a therapeutic agent - A therapeutic agent delivery system that includes a catheter having a proximal end and an opposite distal end. The catheter has a body with a lumen defined therein. The body of the catheter includes a non-bulbous region having a substantially uniform outer diameter and a bulbous region made from an elastically deformable material. While in a first state the bulbous region has a maximum outer diameter greater than the substantially uniform outer diameter of the non-bulbous region; and while in a second state the maximum outer diameter of the bulbous region is reduced relative to that while in the first state. | 04-02-2009 |
20090088695 | Catheter for reduced reflux in targeted tissue delivery of a therapeutic agent - A catheter for delivery of a therapeutic agent directly into a targeted tissue that reduces or substantially prevents reflux and back flow by providing rigidity and strength via a stylet thereby eliminating the need for a guide or delivery sheath during positioning. The catheter has a flexible proximal section and a substantially rigid distal section formed from a plurality of distal subsections. The proximal and distal sections having decreasing outer diameters starting from the proximal end and advancing towards the distal end. The distal subsection closest to the distal end providing an adjustable flow rate via multiple output ports defined radially therein while the distal end itself is closed off. | 04-02-2009 |
20090030526 | COLLAGEN DEVICE AND METHOD OF PREPARING THE SAME - A laminated, bioimplantable dural graft product is configured for use as both an onlay graft and a suturable graft. The dural graft product is sufficiently pliable so as to sufficiently conform to a curvature of a tissue surface to which it is applied, such as the curved surface of a meningeal membrane. The use of the graft product can have improved properties, including suture retention strength and fluid impermeability. To use the dural graft product as an implant to replace, reinforce or strengthen bodily tissue, or to act as an adhesion barrier, the dural graft is placed in contact with bodily tissue and conforms to the curvature of the bodily tissue. Sutures can be used to maintain the contact between the dural graft and the bodily tissue. | 01-29-2009 |
20090005720 | Programmable Shunt with Electromechanical Valve Actuator - Devices and methods for regulating and directing bodily fluids from one region of a patient to another region are disclosed. In general, an apparatus is provided that can include an implantable shunt system and a system controller. The implantable shunt system can have an adjustable valve for regulating the flow of fluid, a sensor element for measuring a physiological characteristic of a patient, and an electromechanical valve actuator that can be adapted to adjust a resistance of the valve. The implantable shunt system can be in electrical communication with the system controller. The system controller can generally be adapted to receive a physiological characteristic of the patient and operate the electromechanical valve actuator to adjust a resistance of the valve. The apparatus can also include an external programming device that is in communication with the system controller. | 01-01-2009 |
20090005703 | Medical Monitor User Interface - Methods and devices useful for monitoring a patient and for monitoring and displaying the value of a physiological parameter are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user interface for a medical monitoring device is provided. The user interface can have a monitoring screen with a current value screen and a trend screen. The current value screen can display a graphical representation of a value of a physiological parameter over time, e.g., over a first time period, and the trend screen can display a graphical representation of a mean value of the physiological parameter over time, e.g., over a second time period. The lengths of the time periods can be adjustable. In some embodiments, an out-of-limit condition for the physiological parameter can be indicated with shading. For example, the current value screen can display shading between a graph line representing the value of the physiological parameter over time and a threshold line which sets the alarm threshold. The trend screen can display shading between a trendline representing the value of the physiological parameter over time and another threshold line. In yet other embodiments, the user interface can provide an event marking screen. The event marking screen can provide the ability to mark events, e.g., the delivery of a drug to the patient, the adjustment of a sensor, and so on, on a historical trend screen that displays a value of the physiological parameter over time. Such event marking can enable a caregiver to correlate events to a change in a patient's condition as manifested by the physiological parameter. | 01-01-2009 |
20090005701 | Cradled Sensor Assembly - Various methods and devices are provided for removably coupling a sensor assembly to a catheter to measure conditions surrounding the catheter when the catheter is implanted in a patient. In one embodiment, a modular sensor assembly is provided and includes a housing having an antenna therein adapted to be removably coupled to at least a portion of a catheter. The housing can be a closed loop having an opening therethrough. One or more sensors can be coupled to the antenna for measuring conditions surrounding the catheter when the catheter is implanted in a patient. In one embodiment, the housing can be adapted to removably couple to a distal end of the catheter, and the opening of the housing can be adapted to receive the catheter. The antenna can be a loop disposed within the housing. | 01-01-2009 |
20080307854 | METHOD AND KIT FOR MAINTAINING A STERILE ENVIRONMENT DURING CALIBRATION OF A MEDICAL DEVICE - A method for maintaining a medical device in a sterile atmosphere at a desired temperature during a calibration step is provided. The method includes packaging a medical device and temperature indicator in a sterile container such that the indicator is visible to a user. Next, heat can be applied to the container in order to stabilize the temperature of the container (as indicated by the encased temperature indicator) at room temperature. Once at room temperature, the device can be calibrated while remaining in the sterile atmosphere. A kit including such a container and a set of instructions is also provided. Like above, the container of the kit can include a sterile medical device and temperature indicator such that the device can be maintained in a sterile environment during calibration and/or zeroing. As such, the method and kit allow for increased precision and safety in performing medical procedures. | 12-18-2008 |
20080214983 | PRESSURE SENSING VALVE - A pressure sensing catheter having a pressure sensor and an antenna that is coupled to the pressure sensor, e.g., by a connector, are provided. The pressure sensor can be adapted to measure a pressure surrounding the catheter, and the antenna can be adapted to telemetrically communicate the measured pressure to an external device. In an exemplary embodiment, the antenna, pressure sensor, and/or connector are hermetically sealed, e.g., by the catheter and/or a coating, to prevent the antenna, pressure sensor, and connector from coming into contact with fluid, thereby allowing the catheter to be permanently implanted or otherwise used for long term use. Exemplary methods for manufacturing and using pressure sensing catheters are also provided. | 09-04-2008 |
20080208359 | DURAL GRAFT AND METHOD OF PREPARING THE SAME - A dural graft is provided having improved stiffness characteristics relative to conventional dural substitutes. The dural graft can be formed from a collagen material having a stiffness between about 0.1 pounds per inch (lb./in.) and 0.25 lb./in. Relative to the collagen material forming conventional dural graft substitutes, the decreased stiffness of the collagen material of the present dural graft can provide the graft with a relatively improved or increased pliability. As a result of the increased pliability, the dural graft can sufficiently conform to a curvature of a tissue surface to which it is applied, such as the curved surface of a meningeal membrane. The reduced stiffness of the collagen material can also provide for a relatively improved or increased flexibility or elasticity of the dural graft. The increased flexibility of the dural graft minimizes tearing of the graft when handled or manipulated during an implantation procedure. | 08-28-2008 |