03rd week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 48 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120016338 | CHEMOABLATION OF TISSUE USING BIODEGRADABLE, SOLID SALT DOSAGE FORMS - Novel methods for the chemical ablation of tissue (e.g. prostatic tissue) are described. These methods include the steps of: (a) providing one or more solid salt dosage form comprising 50-100% w/w salt; and (b) inserting one or more of such solid salt dosage forms into the tissue. The solid salt dosage form is optionally inserted into the tissue under real-time ultrasonic observation. An advantage of the present invention is its ability to eliminate toxic byproducts. For example, where NaCl-based solid salt dosage forms are used to effect localized chemical ablation, the concentration is ultimately reduced to the level of normal saline (i.e., about 0.9%) upon absorption by the body of the subject being treated. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016339 | Method and Apparatus for Intraoperative Cardiac Tissue Injection - The apparatus provides for injecting therapeutic agents at precise locations into the bodily tissue. The apparatus comprises an end effector that is guided to a precise location by motion controllers on a handle. At a precise location, the end effector attaches via a vacuum to the cardiac tissue. A flexible needle is advanced through a deflecting tunnel in the end effector to a desired depth. A therapeutic agent is then introduced via the flexible needle into the cardiac tissue. All these manipulations can be controlled by one hand and can be viewed via imaging methods. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016340 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR THE THERAPY AND DIAGNOSIS OF PROSTATE CANCER - Compositions and methods for the therapy and diagnosis of cancer, particularly prostate cancer, are disclosed. Illustrative compositions comprise one or more prostate-specific polypeptides, immunogenic portions thereof, polynucleotides that encode such polypeptides, antigen presenting cell that expresses such polypeptides, and T cells that are specific for cells expressing such polypeptides. The disclosed compositions are useful, for example, in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases, particularly prostate cancer. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016341 | CATHETER WITH FLEXIBLE TIP AND SHAPE RETENTION - An improved apparatus and method to catheterize passages is disclosed. The present disclosure provides a catheter having a soft flexible pre-formed distal tip, that when used in combination with commercially available guidewires of variable stiffness, results in the ability to control the direction and angle of wire advancement allowing cannulation of body passages, including those that arise at acute angles. The catheter can have a longitudinal axis, a proximal section and a distal section having a soft flexible pre-formed tip having a curvature of ninety degrees or greater and shape retention. The catheter can have an inner wall that defines a lumen that runs along said longitudinal axis forming a single continuous tube, a reinforcement braid disposed over the inner wall, and an outside covering disposed over the reinforcement braid. A spacer can be added between said wall liner and said reinforcement braid in the proximal end. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016342 | Percutaneous Guidewire - A percutaneous guidewire comprising a distal end portion that is pre-formed in a curve that turns through more than 270 degrees. The stiffness of the guidewire may decrease continuously along the length of the curved distal end portion towards the tip of the guidewire and the radius of curvature of the curved distal end portion may also decrease towards the tip of the guidewire. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016343 | GUIDING CATHETER STABILIZATION SYSTEM - Guiding catheter support devices, systems, and methods for stabilizing a guiding catheter while positioned in a vessel of a patient are disclosed. The device comprises a stabilizing wire with an elongate portion and a fortified end, wherein the fortified end is more rigid than the elongate portion. The stabilizing wire is inserted into a guiding catheter while it is positioned in a vessel of a patient and increases the rigidity of at least a portion of the guiding catheter thereby providing support and stabilizing the catheter. A standard guiding catheter may be used or a guiding catheter with a primary lumen and a stabilization lumen having a blind distal end may be used, wherein the stabilizing wire is inserted into the stabilization lumen. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016344 | ASPIRATION CATHETER - An aspiration catheter includes an aspiration tube and an aspiration lumen extending between and opening to the distal and proximal ends of the aspiration tube, and a guidewire tube bonded to the outer surface of the aspiration tube on a distal end portion of the aspiration tube, with at least a portion of the guidewire tube being parallel to the aspiration tube. A guidewire lumen extends through the guidewire tube and opens at a proximal opening located at a proximal end of the guidewire tube. The outer surface of the aspiration tube has a flat portion where the outer surface is parallel to an axial direction of the aspiration lumen, and the proximal opening of the guidewire lumen is located at the flat portion of the outer surface of the aspiration tube. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016345 | LUER CONNECTOR - A luer lock connector is disclosed. The luer lock connector includes a connector body having a distal end, a proximal end, and a gripping portion between the distal end and the proximal end. A substantially flexible material is disposed on at least the outer surface of the gripping portion of the connector body. An intravenous line is coupled to the distal end of the connector body. A luer connector fitting is disposed on the proximal end of the body, the luer connector having an outer diameter less than a maximum exterior thickness of the gripping portion of the connector body. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016346 | CATHETER HUB - A catheter hub includes a distal assembly including a distal hub member adapted to be fixedly attached to an outer catheter and a proximal assembly including a proximal hub member adapted to be fixedly attached to an inner catheter disposed through the outer catheter. An elongate member connects the proximal and distal assemblies such that the proximal and distal assemblies can translate longitudinally relative to one another. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016347 | Seroma Control for Surgical Patients - Apparatus and methods for significant reduction of seroma formation, seroma related complications and time until drain removal following surgery are disclosed. Talc, with and without thrombin, bleomycin, erythromycin, tetracycline, doxycycline, polidocanol alone or in combination or combined with talc and/or thrombin for use in operatives wound and lymph node dissections to reduce seromas are disclosed. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016348 | ANGIOCATHETER WITH IMPROVED FLOW TECHNIQUE - A catheter for draining of fluid comprising: a body portion; a rim, where said body portion extends from rim; a plurality of holes extending along the length of the body; and a tab, where said tab extends from the rim. The rim includes an opening for the insertion of a needle. The catheter may be in a range of 16 gauge to 18 gauge and in one exemplary embodiment the catheter is three inches in length. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016349 | HYBRID OPHTHALMIC INTERFACE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF INTERFACING A SURGICAL LASER WITH AN EYE - Apparatus and methods are provided for interfacing a surgical laser with an eye using a patient interface device that minimizes aberrations through a combination of a contact lens surface positioning and a liquid medium between an anterior surface of the eye and the contact lens surface. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016350 | LENTICULAR REFRACTIVE SURGERY OF PRESBYOPIA, OTHER REFRACTIVE ERRORS, AND CATARACT RETARDATION - Methods for the creation of microspheres treat the clear, intact crystalline lens of the eye with energy pulses, such as from lasers, for the purpose of correcting presbyopia, other refractive errors, and for the retardation and prevention of cataracts. Microsphere formation in non-contiguous patterns or in contiguous volumes works to change the flexure, mass, or shape of the crystalline lens in order to maintain or reestablish the focus of light passing through the ocular lens onto the macular area, and to maintain or reestablish fluid transport within the ocular lens. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016351 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING CONTROL DATA FOR THE SURGICAL CORRECTION OF DEFECTIVE EYE VISION - A device for producing control data for a laser device for the surgical correction of defective vision. The device produces the control data such that the laser emits the laser radiation such that a volume in the cornea is isolated. The device calculates a radius of curvature R | 2012-01-19 |
20120016352 | OPHTHALMOLOGIC LASER SYSTEM - An ophthalmological laser system for photodisruptive irradiation of ocular tissue, including a crystalline lens or a cornea. The system includes an ultra-short pulse laser, the radiation of which is focusable as illumination light via an illumination beam path including a scanner unit and focusing optics. A control unit is programmed to execute determining irradiation control data for photodisruptions at irradiation points in an interior of the ocular tissue distributed three-dimensionally and non-equidistantly to create at least one predetermined target incision. The laser system then irradiates the ocular tissue according to the determined irradiation control data. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016353 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REMOVING A LENTICLE FROM THE CORNEA - An apparatus and method for removing a lenticle from the cornea. For this purpose, a device for liquefying the lenticle and a device for suctioning off the resulting fluid are provided. The lenticle is liquefied and the resulting fluid is then suctioned off. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016354 | DEVICE, APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF ADIPOSE TISSUE TREATMENT - An improved procedure for performing liposuction is obtained by utilizing a needle that includes a laser source conductor with one end of the needle being configured for insertion into a target adipose skin volume and the other end being coupled to a laser source. The needle may include one or more channels for extracting the treated adipose area. A vacuum source can be used in the extraction of the treated adipose. Further, the first end of the needle may include a cap or end-piece that reduces the build up of carbon deposits. A temperature sensor may be used as input to adjust the laser power and prevent over exposure. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016355 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REGULATING COOLANT FLOW THROUGH A CATHETER AND AN EXPANSION ELEMENT OF A CRYOABLATION SYSTEM - A cryoablation system includes a catheter for insertion into patient vasculature. The catheter includes a coolant transfer tube configured to receive and transfer coolant from a coolant source to an expansion element coupled to a distal portion of the catheter. The expansion element is in fluid communication with the coolant transfer tube and at least one coolant outtake region within the catheter. The coolant outtake region is configured and arranged to receive and transfer coolant from the expansion element to a reduced pressure region. A coolant-flow regulation system is at least partially disposed in the catheter. The coolant-flow regulation system is configured and arranged for regulating a rate of coolant flow within the cryoablation system by providing an adjustable pressure differential along the at least one coolant outtake region. A control module is coupled to the catheter. The control module includes a processor for controlling the coolant-flow regulation system. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016356 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE TREATMENT OF DERMATOLOGICAL DISEASES OR CONDITIONS - The invention provides methods and apparatus for the treatment of dermatological conditions, including, for example, viral infections, microbial infections, cancers, dermatological conditions and particularly infections of the skin caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). | 2012-01-19 |
20120016357 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FOCUSED BIPOLAR TISSUE ABLATION - Large tissue regions are treated using pairs of electrode arrays. The electrode arrays may be concave and disposed in tissue so that their concave portions are opposed to each other. Axial conductors may be provided extending from the arrays and toward each other in order to increase the heating of tissues lying along the axis between the deployed electrode arrays. By properly spacing the electrode arrays apart and selecting the diameters of the arrays, desired volumes of tissue may be treated, typically with a bipolar, radiofrequency current. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016358 | SYSTEMS, ASSEMBLIES, AND METHODS FOR TREATING A BRONCHIAL TREE - Systems, assemblies, and methods to treat pulmonary diseases are used to decrease nervous system input to distal regions of the bronchial tree within the lungs. Treatment systems damage nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input. The treatment systems are capable of heating nerve tissue, cooling the nerve tissue, delivering a flowable substance that cause trauma to the nerve tissue, puncturing the nerve tissue, tearing the nerve tissue, cutting the nerve tissue, applying pressure to the nerve tissue, applying ultrasound to the nerve tissue, applying ionizing radiation to the nerve tissue, disrupting cell membranes of nerve tissue with electrical energy, or delivering long acting nerve blocking chemicals to the nerve tissue. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016359 | Hydraulic Conductivity Monitoring to Initiate Tissue Division - A method for performing an electrosurgical procedure at a surgical site on a patient includes continually sensing electrical and physical properties proximate the surgical site that includes acquiring readings of tissue electrical impedance with respect to time at the surgical site; identifying the minima and maxima of the impedance readings with respect to time; and correlating the minima and/or the maxima of the impedance readings with hydration level and/or hydraulic conductivity in the tissue at the surgical site. The method also includes controlling the application of electrosurgical energy to the surgical site to vary energy delivery based on the step of correlating the minima and/or the maxima of the impedance readings with the hydration level/or and the hydraulic conductivity in the tissue at the surgical site. The process may be an ablation process. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016360 | Dual Antenna Assembly with User-Controlled Phase Shifting - An electrosurgical ablation system includes an energy source adapted to supply energy to an energy delivery device. The energy delivery device includes a handle assembly configured to couple a pair of antennas extending from a distal end thereof to the energy source for application of energy to tissue. A power splitting device is operatively associated with the handle assembly and has an input adapted to connect to the energy source and a pair of output channels operably coupled to the respective pair of antennas. A phase shifter is operatively associated with the handle assembly and is operably coupled to the pair of output channels. The phase shifter is configured to selectively shift a phase relationship between the pair of output channels. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016361 | DEPOSIT ABLATION WITHIN AND EXTERNAL TO CIRCULATORY SYSTEMS - Systems and methods of electrical stimulation for intra and extra vascular treatment of a subject are provided. The device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a controller. The controller is configured to apply an electrical current between the first and second electrodes. The electrical current follows a path between the first and second electrodes and through a portion of the subject that includes a blockage. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016362 | Surgical Instrument Including MEMS Devices - Surgical instruments are disclosed that are couplable to or have an end effector or a disposable loading unit with an end effector, and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the surgical instrument for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016363 | DELIVERY DEVICES WITH COOLABLE ENERGY EMITTING ASSEMBLIES - Systems, delivery devices, and methods to treat to ablate, damage, or otherwise affect tissue. The treatment systems are capable of delivering a coolable ablation assembly that ablates targeted tissue without damaging non-targeted tissue. The coolable ablation assembly damages nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016364 | DELIVERY DEVICES WITH COOLABLE ENERGY EMITTING ASSEMBLIES - Systems, delivery devices, and methods to treat to ablate, damage, or otherwise affect tissue. The treatment systems are capable of delivering a coolable ablation assembly that ablates targeted tissue without damaging non-targeted tissue. The coolable ablation assembly damages nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016365 | BONE PLATE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SPINE STABILIZATION - In an embodiment, a bone plating system may include a plate having end holes, each extending from an upper surface to a lower surface of the plate and comprising an inner surface having a curved contour. The bone plating system may include bone fasteners, each being sized to be placed in a ring for anchoring an end of the plate to a bone, the ring being sized to fit in a corresponding end hole and rotatable therein to define an angle of a corresponding bone fastener relative to the plate. The ring may have an outer surface that substantially corresponds to the curved contour of the inner surface of the hole to allow for rotation of the ring within the hole. The angles of the bone fasteners relative to the plate may define a converging or diverging configuration, which can prevent the bone fasteners from backing out. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016366 | Proximal Radius Locking Plate - The invention provides a proximal radius locking plate having a body comprising an elongate shaft portion and a head portion. The plate may have a gentle S-shape and a proximal twist. The shaft portion is adapted for receiving bone screws to fix the bone plate to a shaft of the radius. The head portion includes a first head section and a second head section. The first and second head sections extend laterally away from a longitudinal axis of the shaft portion in generally opposite directions, generally forming a T-shape. The first and second head sections are configured and arranged to secure a plurality of bone screws divergently implanted in the head of proximal radius. The shaft portion is thinner proximally in order to preserve the biceps tendon. Moreover, the plate of the present invention can be used as a guide in reducing the fracture prior to fixation since the plate has a precontoured shape matching the shape of an unfractured proximal radius. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016367 | COMPLIANT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CUTTING AN INTERVERTEBRAL DISC - Devices for cutting an intervertebral disc that may include an elongated shape with a distal end and a proximal end and being sized for insertion into an intervertebral space. The devices may include a number of articulating segments that are movably connected together to be shaped in a variety of angular orientations to conform to the shape of the intervertebral disc. The segments may include one or more exposed cutting surfaces that cut the disc as the device is moved through the intervertebral space. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016368 | FLEXIBLE TISSUE RASP - Methods and devices are described for modifying tissue in a spine of a patient to treat or alleviate spinal stenosis. In one embodiment, a method may include: advancing at least a distal portion of an elongate tissue modification device into an epidural space and between target tissue and non-target tissue in the spine; positioning the tissue modification device so that at least one abrasive surface of the device faces target tissue and at least one non-abrasive surface faces non-target tissue; applying tensioning force at or near separate distal and proximal portions of the tissue modification device; and translating the tissue modification device back and forth while maintaining at least some tensioning force to abrade at least a portion of the target tissue with the at least one abrasive surface. Unwanted damage to the non-target tissue may be prevented via the at least one non-abrasive surface. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016369 | Methods and Apparatus For Treating Vertebral Fractures - Methods and apparatus for treating bones, including, in one or more embodiments, methods and apparatus for treatment of vertebral fractures that include a containment assembly for cement containment and/or a balloon assembly for maintaining vertebral height. A containment assembly comprising a containment jacket adapted to be deployed inside bone; and a dividing wall that separates the interior of the containment jacket into a proximal region and a distal region, the dividing wall having an opening for providing access to the distal region from the proximal region. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016370 | MEDICAL IMPLANT - A medical assembly includes an implant and an envelope at least partially enclosing a portion of the implant. The envelope may include a tongue to protect the implant, a scaffold to provide integrity to the envelope, a tab access to ease envelope withdrawal, and/or one or more discontinuities to ease envelope withdrawal. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016371 | Methods and Apparatus For Treating Vertebral Fractures - Methods and apparatus for treating bones, including, in one or more embodiments, methods and apparatus for treatment of vertebral fractures that include a containment assembly for cement containment and/or a balloon assembly for maintaining vertebral height. A containment assembly comprising a containment jacket adapted to be deployed inside bone; and a dividing wall that separates the interior of the containment jacket into a proximal region and a distal region, the dividing wall having an opening for providing access to the distal region from the proximal region. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016372 | Facet Joint Replacement Instruments and Methods - A facet joint replacement system includes an inferior implant with an inferior articular surface, a superior implant with a superior articular surface, and an optional crossbar. The inferior implant and the superior implant are each polyaxially adjustably connected to fixation elements which anchor the implants to adjacent vertebrae. The optional crossbar may be polyaxially adjustably connected to bilateral implants. The system components may be provided in kits which provide components of various sizes and shapes. A set of surgical instruments may facilitate implantation of the facet joint replacement system by providing tools for bone preparation, trialing, implant insertion, implant alignment, and lock-out of modular interconnections. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016373 | DEVICE TO ASSIST WITH THE PLACEMENT OF SCREWS IN BONE TISSUE AND INSTRUMENT APPLYING SAID DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR PERFORMING OSTEOSYNTHESIS OF BONE FRAGMENTS - A device to assist with the placement of screws in bone tissue, characterised in that said device includes an elongate hollow body comprising: a proximal portion enabling the attachment thereof to any rotating device, a distal portion provided with a milling cutter for making the recess for receiving the screw heads, a central portion provided with a longitudinal window with grading and, a drill spindle with a diameter enabling the axial sliding thereof into the bore of the hollow body and comprising, in the intermediate portion thereof, a marking means suitable for being positioned opposite the window of said body. The proximal portion of the body being arranged to enable either simultaneous rotation of the body and the spindle housed in the latter, or rotation of only the body. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016374 | INTRAOCULAR LENS INJECTOR - Disclosed herein is an intraocular lens injector for inserting an intraocular lens into an eye, the intraocular lens injector including: a cylindrical cylinder, into which a plunger for passing the intraocular lens to be guided into the eye is inserted; a connection block having a C-shaped longitudinal cross-section and integrally formed at the front end of the cylinder; a cartridge, which is connected to the connection block and includes first and second wing portions, which are folded with respect to each other, first and second receiving grooves formed at the connection portion of the first and second wing portions and having a semicircular longitudinal cross-section, and a truncated conical guide portion, which extends from the second receiving groove in the lateral direction and includes a guide passage having a circular cross-section corresponding to the shape of the assembled first and second receiving grooves; and an engagement member having a circular cross-section corresponding to the shape of the assembled first and second receiving grooves and maintaining the intraocular lens in a folded state. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016375 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR STORING, LOADING, AND DELIVERING AN INTRAOCULAR LENS - A cartridge for delivering an intraocular lens into the eye of a subject that comprises a body disposed along a longitudinal axis having a distal end and a proximal end, and a tapered lumen disposed along the longitudinal axis having an aperture at the distal end of the body. The aperture and at least a portion of the tapered lumen each consist of an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portions of the aperture and lumen each have a first width and a cross-section that is generally arcuate. The lower portions of the aperture and lumen each have a cross-section that is generally horizontally disposed and have a second width that is greater than the first width of the aperture and lumen. The cartridge may be loaded with an intraocular lens using a packaging system. The intraocular lens may be placed into the eye of a subject using a corresponding inserter having a pushrod with a saddle disposed at the tip thereof. The intraocular lens is preferably draped over the saddle during insertion. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016376 | VALVE LOADER METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS - A valve loading system is provided that uses a valve loader to transfer a valve or other medical device from a storage cartridge into a deployment catheter. The valve or other medical device can be implanted or positioned within a patient using the catheter after the valve or other medical device has been compressed and loaded into the catheter using the valve loader. The process then can be repeated by using the valve loading system to load or introduce another valve or other medical device into the catheter. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016377 | TUNNELING TOOL FOR IMPLANTABLE LEADS - A tunneling tool for creating a pathway for implanting a therapy delivery element in a living body. The tunneling tool includes a malleable elongated shaft having a distal end. A sheath having a lumen is slidably positioned over a portion of the shaft. A primary handle secured to proximal end of the shaft permits a user to advance and manipulate the shaft and the sheath in the living body. A secondary handle with an opening is slidably positioned on the shaft between the primary handle and the sheath. The opening has a diameter less than an outside diameter of a proximal end of the sheath. A locking mechanism releasably engages the secondary handle to the primary handle. The sheath is retained in a desired location within the living body by securing the secondary handle relative to the living body as the primary handle is used to remove the shaft from the sheath. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016378 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RADIAL STEERING OF ELECTRODE ARRAYS - A device for brain stimulation includes a lead having a longitudinal surface, a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of electrodes are disposed along the longitudinal surface of the lead near the distal end of the lead. At least one marker is disposed on the longitudinal surface of the lead. The at least one marker is configured and arranged to identify a relative position of the plurality of electrodes. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016379 | Skin Treating Device - A hand held device for removing hard skin from calluses comprises a handle ( | 2012-01-19 |
20120016380 | SKIN ABRASION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for rejuvenating skin through ablation using a handheld device ( | 2012-01-19 |
20120016381 | Transparent Depilatory Article - A depilatory article comprising a substrate and a depilatory composition comprising a keratin reducing agent and being in physical contact with the substrate, preferably forming a coated or impregnated region of the substrate wherein at least a portion of the substrate is transparent. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016382 | NEEDLE HOLDER AND SUTURE CUTTER SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - A surgical instrument having the dual functions of gripping a suture needle and cutting a suture. The instrument performs one function when the handles are pivoted together and the other function when the handles are pivoted apart. The instrument also provides for a precise suture tail length when the suture is cut. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016383 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSING AN OPENING IN THICK, MOVING TISSUE - A device for placing one or more sutures through a section of tissue, especially a section of thick and/or moving tissue such as the wall of a beating heart. The device includes a tissue welting tip having a trough for forming a welt in a tissue section, an alignment guide pivotally mounted in the distal end adjacent to the trough, and having an opening receiving a guide wire and an elongated sleeve slidably engagable with the guide wire there through. The device also includes one or more expandable tissue engaging member(s) on the sleeve selectively expandable from a collapsed configuration having a diameter small enough to pass through the opening in the tip to an expanded configuration having a diameter large enough to engage a tissue section and urge it into the trough to form a welt in the tissue section and a retractable needle extendable through at least two portions of a tissue section while the tissue section is engaged with the trough. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016384 | WOUND CLOSURE SYSTEM - A wound closure system and a method of reducing the size of an open wound are disclosed. A suture line is sutured through body tissue adjacent an open wound, the suture line sutured so as to pass into the body tissue at an entry point and exit at an exit point, the suture line including a plurality of barbs extending outwardly at an acute angle with respect to a surface of the suture line. A biasing member applies a continuous pulling force on the suture line for stretching the body tissue toward the open wound, wherein the biasing member is configured to take up any slack of the suture line during stretching of the body tissue and keep the suture line taut. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016385 | METHOD FOR SUTURING - A suture insertion device ( | 2012-01-19 |
20120016386 | APPARATUS FOR TISSUE REPAIR - An apparatus for tissue repair includes first and second fixation members configured to secure tissue together, a flexible coupling member coupling the first and second fixation members, the flexible coupling member having two terminal ends, one of the two terminal ends terminating adjacent one of the first and second fixation members, the flexible coupling member slidably coupled to at least one of the first and second fixation members such that when the other of the two terminal ends of the flexible coupling member is pulled, a length of the flexible coupling member between the first and second fixation members is shortened, and a closed loop of flexible material, the flexible coupling member being slidably received through the closed loop of flexible material. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016387 | SURGICAL THREADING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USING SAME - A threading device assembly for use in plastic surgery that includes a first elongated rod having first and second opposite ends, a second elongated rod having first and second opposite ends, and a suture having first and second opposite ends. The first end of the suture is secured to the first elongated rod at a location that is approximately halfway between the first and second ends, and the second end of the suture is secured to the second elongated rod at a location that is approximately halfway between the first and second ends. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016388 | IMPLANTABLE PLATE FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF WALLS - The implantable plate for wall reconstruction comprises a textile support having anti-migratory protuberances on at least one face. If the support comprises thermoplastic fibres or filaments, each protuberance is formed with a conical configuration, by swaging, inside a peripheral zone in which said fibres or filaments are thermowelded, especially by ultrasound, a perforation being centred relative to the peripheral zone. The two faces can comprise protuberances, of a height substantially equal to the thickness of said support, for example distributed in a stagger and alternating from one face to the other, at the rate of 0.5 to 2 per cm | 2012-01-19 |
20120016389 | Method of Performing Transgastric Ventral Hernia Repair and Tissue Anchors and Deployment Devices Therefor - A transluminal approach through a natural body cavity to repair a ventral hernia is provided. In a transgastric approach, the abdominal cavity is accessed via an incision through a wall of the digestive tract. A system for the deployment of tissue anchors to anchor a tissue reinforcing mesh to repair the ventral hernia is provided. Particular tissue anchors are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the tissue anchors include a shaft and a head reconfigurably coupled to the shaft permitting the head and shaft to be in a substantially parallel loaded configuration and in a substantially transverse deployed configuration. In addition, tissue anchors may include biodegradable and non-biodegradable components, with the non-biodegradable component defining spaces for soft tissue ingrowth upon degradation of the biodegradable component. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016390 | BIOADHESIVE COMPOUNDS AND METHODS OF SYNTHESIS AND USE - The invention describes new synthetic medical adhesives and antifouling coatings which exploit the key components of natural marine mussel adhesive proteins. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016391 | MEDICAL DEVICES WITH DETACHABLE PIVOTABLE JAWS - Medical systems, devices and methods are provided for engaging tissue, e.g. for clipping tissue, closing a perforation or performing hemostasis. Generally, the medical system including a housing, first and second jaws rotatable relative to the housing, a driver, and an elongate drive wire. The elongate drive wire may be disconnected from the driver, first and second jaws, and the housing, which are left in vivo engaged with the tissue. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016392 | METHOD FOR TREATING MORBID OBESITY - A method for treating morbid obesity in a body of a mammal having a gastrointestinal tract extending through a stomach and a pyloric sphincter and a wall forming the stomach and pyloric sphincter. At least one implant is formed in the wall in the vicinity of the pyloric sphincter to inhibit emptying of the stomach. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016393 | INSTRUMENTATION AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING A MULTISTAGE GASTRIC BYPASS - 1. Instrumentation for carrying out a gastrointestinal bypass comprising:
| 2012-01-19 |
20120016394 | Method of Performing a Surgical Procedure - A method for performing a cholecystectomy procedure comprises providing an access device having a plurality of ports for reception of instruments. An incision is made in the abdomen of a patient and the access device is mounted to provide access through the incision. A first grasper device is inserted through a first port of the access device, a second grasper device is inserted through a second port of the access device and a dissector is inserted through a third port of the access device. At least a first portion of the gall bladder is detached from surrounding tissue. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016395 | HIGH CAPACITY DEBULKING CATHETER WITH DISTAL DRIVEN CUTTING WHEEL - The present invention is an atherectomy catheter with a rotary cutting knife that is driven from the distal (nose) or side (circumference) direction. The catheter collects plaque shavings in a hollow collection chamber mounted in between the rotary cutting knife and the main catheter tubing. In contrast to prior art designs, which utilized nose mounted plaque collection chambers, the present design is able to store a substantially larger volume of removed plaque, thus increasing the length of time and amount of plaque removal that can be accomplished before the catheter must be removed from the body and cleaned. This decreases medical procedure time, allows for more complete and careful plaque removal, and reduces the burden on the patient and physician. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016396 | TETHERED COIL FOR TREATMENT OF BODY LUMENS - Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for removable of undesired material from body lumens. The apparatus may be used for fragmenting or removing a thrombus or occlusion from a blood vessel. The apparatus includes first shape segments and second shape segments connected to form a coiled member. A longitudinally extending tether is positioned inside the first shape segments and outside the second shape segments along the length of the coil. Applying a proximal force on the tether produces a change in the shape of at least a portion of the coil from a first generally linear configuration to a second complex three dimensional shape. A method of using the apparatus to engage and remove, or fragment, the thrombus or occlusion is disclosed. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016397 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENDOSCOPIC LIGAMENT RELEASE - The invention pertains to a method, apparatus, and system for cutting anatomic members, such as ligaments, in surgical procedures such as carpal tunnel release, plantar fasciotomy, gastroc release, cubital tunnel release, and tarsal tunnel release. The apparatus includes a retrograde knife and a guide tool for guiding the knife and a scope during surgery. Relevant features include a knife stop for preventing the knife from inadvertently raising out of the knife channel, indicators showing the proper orientation for the guide tool, a self dilating tip and channel design on the guide tool, a cover piece and/or pivotable panel system for preventing ligaments and other anatomy from getting caught in the guide tool, a pivot pin and groove system for stabilizing the knife and also assuring that the knife blade is not inadvertently raised out of the channel, and a use indicator for preventing re-use of a single use device. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016398 | CARPAL TUNNEL RELEASE TOOL - A carpal tunnel release tool and methods for using the same are disclosed. Embodiments of the carpal tunnel release tool include a guide with an angled track and a knife that fits into and follows the angled track. In one embodiment, the knife is retracted into the guide as it is advanced along the track to cut the ligament. In an alternate embodiment the blade is extended outwardly from the surface of the guide as the blade is advanced along the track. Other embodiments include a projection at the terminal end of the track that maintains the position of the ligament over the guide, serves as a type of cutting block to ensure complete bisecting of the ligament, and can aid the surgeon in placement of the guide beneath the ligament. Further embodiments include an inserter that inhibits tissue entering the track as the guide is advanced beneath the ligament. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016399 | Surgical Apparatus - A single use morsellator utilizes a disposable housing, cutting tube, battery and motor in combination with an attached and adjustable trocar to enable the surgeon to selectively utilize the cutting edge of the tube. The battery and control circuit are completely contained within the integral morsellator such that no separate components are needed. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016400 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CABLE-BASED TISSUE REMOVAL - Systems and methods for treating disc herniation include surgical and endoscopic access and removal of disc tissue. The tissue removal devices that may be used include flexible elongate members, such as a cable, that may be inserted into a vertebral disc and rotated to pulverize the disc material and facilitate its removal. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016401 | SURGICAL SLIDING SHAFT INSTRUMENT AND SLIDING SHAFT - In order to improve a sliding shaft for a surgical sliding shaft instrument, wherein the sliding shaft comprises a first shaft part and a second shaft part which are arranged such as to be displaceable relative to each other and also a guidance device for guiding a movement of the second shaft part relative to the first shaft part, wherein said first shaft part carries a first tool element and said second shaft part carries a second tool element, wherein said first and second tool elements cooperate and/or abut each other in a working position and are spaced from each other in a position that is deflected from the working position or are spaced further from each other than in the working position, wherein the guidance device comprises at least one first guide element which is arranged on the first shaft part and at least one second guide element which cooperates with the at least one first guide element and is arranged on the second shaft part, wherein said guide elements interlock in shape-fitting manner for guiding a movement of the second shaft part relative to the first shaft part, so that first and second shaft parts are replaceable as required, for the purposes of forming said shaft parts there is proposed a tolerance compensating device for compensating for the manufacturing tolerances of the cooperating guide elements. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016402 | SURGICAL SLIDING SHAFT INSTRUMENT AND SLIDING SHAFT - In order to improve a sliding shaft for a surgical sliding shaft instrument, wherein the sliding shaft defines a longitudinal direction and comprises a first shaft part and a second shaft part which are arranged such that they are displaceable relative to each other, wherein said first shaft part carries a first tool element and said second shaft part carries a second tool element, wherein the second shaft part has a cut material collector with an inlet opening which is bounded by the second tool part and extends therefrom in the proximal direction, such that the cut material collector can be emptied in a simple and rapid manner, it is proposed that the cut material collector should have at least one emptying opening which is formed on the proximal side of the inlet opening and that the at least one emptying opening should be open in a lateral emptying direction which is oriented perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal direction and parallel or substantially parallel to a contact plane defined by a lower surface of the second shaft part. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016403 | CUTTING BALLOON CATHETER HAVING FLEXIBLE ATHEROTOMES - A cutting balloon catheter and method of making and using the same. The cutting balloon catheter may include a catheter shaft having a balloon coupled thereto. One or more cutting members or blades may be coupled to the balloon. The cutting members may configured to be more flexible. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016404 | VERTEBRA FILLER - The present invention offers two programs of a filler for spine, both two include a catheter and a catheter holder for fastening the catheter, there is a guide pin inside of the catheter, and the guide pin is fastened on the guide pin holder, a sealed or ventilate feed bag made of soft nonmetal materials accordent to biocompartibility or absorbefacient materials is set at the end of the catheter, the feature of the two programs lies in that a outer thimble is set at the outerside of the catheter, the outer thimble is fixed on the outer thimble holder, a dismountable structure connects the outer thimble holder and catheter holder, a reducing cone of tapered outer thimble at the open end of the said outer thimble connects to a little diameter outer thimble, or a inside convex plate of outer thimble; the said catheter has a reducing cone corresponding to the reducing cone of outer thimble at the reducing cone of outer thimble or the inside convex plate of outer thimble, and the reducing cone of catheter connects to a little diameter catheter; the said feed bag is set in the catheter through its open end, lies in between outer thimble and catheter and fastened tightly at the outer wall of catheter by outer thimble. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016405 | Medical Device Balloons Containing Thermoplastic Elastomers - A dilatation balloon, the dilatation balloon having a multilayer structure wherein the multilayer structure comprises a thermoplastic elastomer coextruded with a non-compliant structural polymer, the thermoplastic elastomer as an outer layer and the non-compliant structural material is an inner layer. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016406 | FLOW RESTORATION METHODS - Systems, methods, and devices for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke that provide immediate blood flow restoration to a vessel occluded by a clot and, after reestablishing blood flow, address the clot itself. Immediate blood flow restoration advantageously can facilitate natural lysis of the clot and also can reduce or obviate the concern for distal embolization due to fragmentation of the clot. Several embodiments of the invention provide for progressive, or modular, treatment based upon the nature of the clot. For example, the progressive treatment can comprise a three-step progressive treatment process that includes immediate restoration of blood flow, in-situ clot management, and/or clot removal depending on the particular circumstances of the treatment. The in-situ clot management can include, for example, lysis and maceration. The progressive, or modular, treatment can be provided by a system or kit of one or more treatment devices. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016407 | INTRAVASCULAR THROMBUS CAPTURING INSTRUMENT - An intravascular thrombus capturing instrument is disclosed comprising a wire body inserted into a catheter and retractable from the tip of the catheter, and a thrombus capturing part fitted at the tip of the wire body. The thrombus capturing part includes a fixed section fitted at the tip of the wire body, a stopper secured to the wire body at prescribed intervals from the fixed section, a slidable section slidably provided around the wire body posterior to the stopper, and an elastic coil bridging between the fixed section and the slidable section. This securely captures and removes embolus such as thrombus clung to a vascular wall. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016408 | CANNULA WITH ASSOCIATED FILTER AND METHODS OF USE DURING CARDIAC SURGERY - Devices and methods for filtering blood. The devices generally comprise a mesh for filtering blood flowing within a blood vessel, particularly within an artery such as the aorta, a structure adapted to open and close the mesh within the blood vessel, and a means to actuate the structure. The methods generally include the steps of introducing a mesh into a blood vessel to entrap embolic material, and removing the mesh and the entrapped foreign matter from the blood vessel. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016409 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING CLOSURE OF BODILY OPENINGS - The present embodiments provide a system for facilitating closure of a bodily opening. In one embodiment, the system comprises an anchor having a deployed state dimensioned for engaging tissue surrounding the opening, a first tether coupled to the anchor and extending proximally therefrom, and a graft member comprising a first bore disposed therein. The anchor may comprise a width that is larger than a width of the opening such that the anchor is disposed securely within or distal to the opening. The first tether is dimensioned to be disposed through the first bore in the graft member, such that the graft member is advanced distally over the first tether. The graft member then may be secured to the anchor. Various anchor designs are provided along with a supporting framework that may be coupled to the graft member. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016410 | BIOPSY INCISION CLOSURE DEVICE - A biopsy incision closure device comprises a base having a frame incorporated therein. Together, the base and frame define an opening for performing a biopsy incision when the device is placed over a tissue surface. The base is typically composed of an elastomeric material and the frame comprises resilient inelastic members which can be used to close the opening in a highly uniform manner with minimum distortion and stress introduced into the tissue edges being drawn together. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016411 | Apical Closure System - Aspects of the present invention provide apparatuses and methods for closing an apical hole in a heart of a subject, including a hole-closure device that includes a tissue-attachment portion configured to attach to cardiac tissue around the apical hole, and a collapsible portion coupled to the tissue-attachment portion and configured to close the hole by collapsing inwardly inside the apical hole. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016412 | ENTERIC FISTULA TREATMENT DEVICES - Disclosed herein is an implantable fistula closure device. The device may include an expandable longitudinally segmented body including a proximal end and a distal end. The segmented body may further include a plurality of porous bodies and a connecting member operably joining together the plurality of porous bodies. The plurality of porous bodies includes a first porous body with a proximal end and a distal end and a second porous body with a proximal end and a distal end, and the connecting member operably connects the proximal end of the first porous body with the distal end of the second porous body. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016413 | SURGICAL FASTENING DEVICES COMPRISING RIVETS - An end-effector assembly is configured to be attached to a surgical instrument. The end-effector assembly comprises a first jaw comprising an electrode, a second jaw comprising a rivet cavity, and a rivet. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other jaw. At least a portion of the rivet is removably positioned within the rivet cavity. The rivet comprises a tissue-engaging portion, an elongate portion extending from the tissue-engaging portion, and a meltable portion. The end-effector assembly comprises a driver configured to move the rivet between a first position in which the rivet is stored at least partially within the rivet cavity and a second position in which the rivet is at least partially deployed from the rivet cavity. The meltable portion of the rivet is positioned against or adjacent to the electrode when the rivet is in the second position. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016414 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING SOFT TISSUE TO BONE - Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A bone anchor is described that comprises a base and a top such that suture material may be compressed between surfaces on the base and top to secure the suture to the anchor. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the bone anchor into bone and move the anchor top relative to the anchor base to clamp suture material there between. Also described is a soft-tissue and bone piercing anchor and associated inserter. Methods are described that allow use of the bone anchors to provide multiple lengths of suture material to compress a large area of soft tissue against bone. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016415 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING SOFT TISSUE TO BONE - Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A bone anchor is described that comprises a base and a top such that suture material may be compressed between surfaces on the base and top to secure the suture to the anchor. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the bone anchor into bone and move the anchor top relative to the anchor base to clamp suture material there between. Also described is a soft-tissue and bone piercing anchor and associated inserter. Methods are described that allow use of the bone anchors to provide multiple lengths of suture material to compress a large area of soft tissue against bone. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016416 | Teething Glove - A teething glove includes a body member having upper and lower ends. A wrist attachment member is connected to the lower end of the body member and includes an elongate configuration that is extendable about a user's wrist and length adjustable. A pair of finger sleeves is attached to the upper end of the body member and extends away therefrom, each finger sleeve having a generally tubular configuration defining an open proximal end and a closed distal end. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016417 | FLEXING LINKS FOR INTERVERTEBRAL STABILIZATION - A flexing link assembly and methods for implanting such an assembly in a patient are disclosed herein. The flexing link assembly includes a pair of links that are movably connected together adjacent to an intermediate portion of each link. The connection between the links allows relative movement between the links. One end of each link includes an attachment portion adapted to facilitate attachment of the links to an inferior vertebra. The other end of each link is adapted to facilitate engagement with a spinous process of an adjacent superior vertebra. This arrangement of the links allows flexing and relative movement of adjacent vertebrae yet limits extension therebetween. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016418 | INTERSPINOUS FIXATION IMPLANT - An implantable assembly for stabilization of two adjacent spinous processes in a spinal column includes an elongated first component extending along a first axis, an elongated second component extending along a second axis, a hub spacer, means for inserting and securing the hub spacer transversely through the interspinous ligament separating the first and second spinous processes and means for clamping and securing first and second spinous processes of first and second adjacent vertebras, respectively, between the first and second components. The first and second components are arranged opposite and parallel to each other and are separated by the hub spacer. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016419 | Dynamic Inter-Spinous Process Spacer - An interspinous process spacer and method of implantation for distraction of the vertebra including an expandable member, a self sealing percutaneous access port in fluid engagement with the expandable member and an anchor member secured to and in fluid engagement with said tubular member. The anchor member may be an arcuate channel mechanically secured to adjacent spinous process by bone screws through a plurality of slots in the legs of the channel. The port allows for adding or removing fluid from the one or more chambers or envelopes of the expandable member in order to adjust the volume of the expandable member and thus the interspinous process spacing. Subsequent to initial implantation and expansion the volume of the expandable member may be increased or decreased in a non-surgical in-office procedure in which a needle is used to add or remove fluid from the expandable member via the port and tubular member. The flowable material/fluid may be a liquid such as saline, gel such as silicone, or a viscous polymer and my further remain in a liquid state or harden to a viscoelastic state with or without additional intervention. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016420 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR INTER-TRANSVERSE PROCESS DYNAMIC STABILIZATION - Systems and methods are positioned between left and right transverse processes of adjacent vertebrae in a spine to provide dynamic inter-transverse process distraction and stabilization and indirect expansion of both anterior and posterior spaces of the spine. The systems and methods employ a left support component sized and configured to be mounted between the left transverse processes of the adjacent vertebrae and a right support component and configured to be mounted between the right transverse processes of the adjacent vertebrae. The left and right support components exert a dynamic separation force between the left and right transverse processes generally longitudinally along the spine to distract and stabilize space between the adjacent inferior and superior vertebrae and indirectly expand both anterior and posterior spaces of the spine. The systems and methods relieve pain associated with, e.g. disc herniation, disc degeneration, facet arthropathy, and spinal stenosis. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016421 | SPINAL STABILIZATION SYSTEM WITH RIGID AND FLEXIBLE ELEMENTS - A spinal stabilization system generally comprises first and second anchor members configured to be secured to first and second vertebrae within a patient's body, a flexible element secured to the first anchor member, and a rigid element secured to the second anchor member. An end portion of the rigid element is coupled to an end portion of the flexible so that the system is able to provide both rigid and dynamic stabilization. The coupling is maintained even if the flexible element relaxes after a period of time within the patient's body. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016422 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PEDICLE SCREW STABILIZATION OF SPINAL VERTEBRAE - The present application is directed to various spinal stabilization systems. The systems can include one or more guiding elements attached to screw members to assist in guiding rod implants and tools to desired locations within a patient. The guiding elements can include a plurality of wires, blades, or tabs. The guiding elements can be capable of criss-crossing or intersecting at or near an incision, such that only a single incision may be needed to perform a surgery. The guiding elements can also include telescoping features that allow the height of the guiding elements to be adjusted in use, thereby allowing multiple telescoping guiding elements to be used with the same incision. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016423 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIRE-GUIDED PEDICLE SCREW STABILIZATION OF SPINAL VERTEBRAE - An improved system and method for positioning screws and rods to immobilize bones is provided. Specifically, the system and method is optimal for performing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and other interbody fusions in the spine. The system involves pedicle screws detachably connected to wires that guide rods down to the screws. The wires are strong, narrow, flexible, adjustable in tension, and easily disconnected from the screws after rod placement via a process such as cutting, radiating, burning, dissolving, etc. The use of wires to place the rods avoids the conventional bulky tower apparatuses of the prior art while at the same time enhancing the accuracy of placement. One of the preferred methods involves relying upon the natural lordotic curvature of the spine and the narrow diameter of the wires to insert many elements through a single minimally invasive incision. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016424 | EXTENSIONS FOR SPINAL ANCHORS - Systems and methods for positioning a connecting member adjacent the spinal column include at least one anchor assembly having an anchor engageable to bony structure and a receiver for receiving the connecting member. An extension member is engaged to the receiver and defines a pathway that extends proximally from the receiver. The connecting member is movable along the extension member to the receiver of the bone anchor. The extension member is removable from the receiver of the bone anchor after the connecting member is positioned in the receiver to provide a low profile anchor and connecting member assembly when finally implanted in the patient. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016425 | MULTIPLANAR BONE ANCHOR SYSTEM - The present teachings provide one or more surgical implements for repairing damaged tissue, such as in the case of a spinal fixation procedure. A bone anchor is provided. The anchor can include a bone fastener. The bone fastener can include a head and a second end adapted to engage an anatomy. The bone fastener can extend along a longitudinal axis. The anchor can also include a coupling arrangement coupled to the head of the bone fastener so that the bone fastener is rotatable about the longitudinal axis to define a first plane of motion. The anchor can further include a saddle, which can be coupled to the coupling arrangement. The saddle can be movable relative to at least one of the bone fastener and the coupling arrangement to define a second plane of motion. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016426 | HALLUX ABDUCTO VALGUS ASSEMBLIES - Disclosed is an assembly for in vivo alignment of two or more bones in a living body. The assembly comprises a cannulated sleeve ( | 2012-01-19 |
20120016427 | OSTEOSYNTHESIS DEVICE - An osteosynthesis device is provided. The device includes a first screw for attaching a first holding base to a first section of a bone, a second screw for attaching a second holding base to a second section of the bone, and a rigid linking element mutually connecting the first and second bases. Either the first screw or the first base has a cavity for receiving a bracket of an associated position-marking device. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016428 | BUNION CORRECTION METHOD AND DEVICE - In one aspect of the invention, a method includes locating an anchor attachment point on a first elongated bone with a first bone axis, locating a second anchor attachment point on a second elongated bone with a second bone axis, the second bone axis being misaligned relative to the first bone axis and the bones being separated by an articulating joint. The method further includes mounting a tensioning implant between the two attachment points and biasing the first and second | 2012-01-19 |
20120016429 | Implantable Connector Systems Having Magnetic Portions Thereon and Related Methods - A connecting system includes an implantable base unit having an implantable housing with an externally accessible magnetic portion and an implantable unit connecting member. The implantable base unit is configured to be at least partially implanted in a subject such that the externally accessible magnetic portion is accessible from an external region of the subject. An interface unit is releasably coupled to the implantable base unit. The interface unit has an interface housing with an interface magnetic portion and an interface unit connecting member. The interface magnetic portion is configured to engage the externally accessible magnetic portion of the implantable base unit to mechanically couple the implantable unit connecting member and the interface unit connecting member. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016430 | COGNITIVE FUNCTION WITHIN A HUMAN BRAIN - Methods and apparatus for improving cognitive function within a human. The invention utilizes an implanted device, such as an implantable signal generator or an implantable pump, to affect tissue elements within a Papez circuit of the human brain as well as tissue upstream or downstream from the Papez circuit. The implanted device delivers treatment therapy to thereby improve cognitive function by the human. A sensor may be used to detect various symptoms of the cognitive disorder. A microprocessor algorithm may then analyze the output from the sensor to regulate delivery of the stimulation and/or drug therapy. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016431 | VESTIBULAR STIMULATION SYSTEM - A vestibular stimulation system and method that includes a housing, a power supply disposed in the housing, an electrode assembly adapted to be coupled to the housing, and a controller disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the power supply. The controller controls the delivery of energy from the power supply to the electrode assembly. An input element is also disposed on an exterior surface of the housing. The input element is manually manipulated to control the operation of the vestibular stimulation system. A display disposed on an exterior surface of the housing provides visual information regarding the operation of the vestibular stimulation system. A mounting assembly is coupled to the housing to mount the housing on such a user. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016432 | EVALUATION OF IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE DATA - A system includes an episode classification module and a data retrieval module. The episode classification module receives electrograms (EGMs) from N implantable medical devices (IMDs) and determines whether the EGMs are associated with deliveries of therapy by the N IMDs. The episode classification module analyzes at least some of the EGMs and determines whether the deliveries or non-deliveries of therapy by the IMDs were appropriate. The data retrieval module receives a request from a computing device, via a network, that indicates at least two groups of the N IMDs. The data retrieval module provides to the computing device via the network, in response to the request, data for presentation to a user that indicates for each of the groups, at least one of how many of the one or more deliveries or non-deliveries were appropriate, or how many of the one or more deliveries or non-deliveries were inappropriate. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016433 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING VENTRICULAR TACHYARRHYTHMIAS - A system and method for selectively treating a ventricular tachycardia based on sensed atrial and ventricular intervals from the patient's heart. A detection window of the ten most recent atrial and ventricular intervals are analyzed for the occurrence of either tachycardia or fibrillation. When a majority of the sensed intervals are satisfied, the apparatus starts a duration time interval. Ventricular intervals and atrial intervals are compare, ventricular interval greater than the atrial interval by a bias factor the system delivers tachycardia therapy to the heart. Alternatively, the method withholds tachycardia therapy to the heart when the atrial rate is classified as atrial fibrillation and the ventricular response is unstable. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016434 | POST-ACUTE ELECTRICAL STIMULATION TREATMENT OF ADVERSE CEREBROVASCULAR EVENTS - A method for treatment is provided, including identifying that a subject has suffered from an adverse cerebrovascular event, excluding Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Responsively to the identifying, beginning at least nine hours after the event, electrical stimulation is applied to a site of the subject selected from the group consisting of: a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), a greater palatine nerve, a lesser palatine nerve, a sphenopalatine nerve, a communicating branch between a maxillary nerve and an SPG, an otic ganglion, an afferent fiber going into the otic ganglion, an efferent fiber going out of the otic ganglion, an infraorbital nerve, a vidian nerve, a greater superficial petrosal nerve, and a lesser deep petrosal nerve. The stimulation is configured to excite nervous tissue of the site at a strength sufficient to induce at least one neuroprotective occurrence selected from the group consisting of: an increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) of the subject, and a release of one or more neuroprotective substances. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016435 | OPTIMAL DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION THERAPY WITH Q LEARNING - A closed loop Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) system constituted of: a physiological sensor; a multi-electrode DBS lead; an adaptive control system in communication with the physiological sensor; and an implantable pulse generator (IPG) responsive to the adaptive control system, the adaptive control system comprising a learning module operable to learn to find the optimal stimulation parameters, classify and associate patient conditions responsive to the physiological sensor with optimal stimulation parameters in a plurality of patient conditions. The adaptive DBS device control system learns to deliver the optimal stimulation parameters based on Watkins and Dayan Q learning recursive formula, the closed loop adaptive DBS control system thus finds the optimal stimulation parameters online. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016436 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMICALLY CONFIGURABLE DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION - A DBS system and method for predicting future neurological activity in a subject and administering a corrective electrical stimulation signal to prevent anticipated pathological neuronal activity. The DBS system includes an implantable electrode configured to both record neuronal activity from a target brain area in a subject and administer the corrective electric stimulation signal to the target area. The DBS system also includes a controller configured to determine the characteristics of the corrective electrical stimulation signal based on point process models of healthy and pathological neuronal activity in the target area. | 2012-01-19 |
20120016437 | SELECTIVE HIGH FREQUENCY SPINAL CORD MODULATION FOR INHIBITING PAIN WITH REDUCED SIDE EFFECTS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications. | 2012-01-19 |