| 31st week of 2012 patent applcation highlights part 51 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20120197330 | Fault Tolerant System for an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator or Pulse Generator - The disclosure describes circuits for providing therapy in an implantable medical device. The illustrative circuits include features that provide fault tolerance with graceful degradation as well as switching control methods that reduce component count and improves reliability. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197331 | ISOLATING LEAD CONDUCTOR FOR FAULT DETECTION - Systems and methods for providing a cardiac stimulus device lead having fault tolerance and fault isolation are disclosed. A medical electrical lead is provided according to one aspect. According to one embodiment, the lead includes a first conductor and a second conductor for transmitting an electrical pulse from a pulse generator. The lead further includes a switching mechanism, a first electrode, and a lead assessment circuit. The switching mechanism selectively couples the first conductor to the first electrode. The first electrode is decoupled during a test phase and the switching mechanism directly couples the first conductor to the second conductor. The lead assessment circuit processes a signal associated with the electrical properties of the lead to determine whether the lead is exhibiting a lead related condition. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197332 | DISABLING AN IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICE WITH ANOTHER MEDICAL DEVICE - Various techniques for disabling a first implantable medical device (IMD) by modulation of therapeutic electrical stimulation delivered by a second medical device are described. One example method includes delivering therapeutic electrical stimulation from a more recently implanted second IMD at a higher average rate than the previously implanted first IMD so that only the more recently implanted IMD will administer therapy, and modulating stimulation by the more recently implanted IMD in order to send a disable command to the previously implanted IMD. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197333 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERING VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION - According to various method embodiments, a person is indicated for a therapy to treat a cardiovascular disease, and the therapy is delivered to the person to treat the cardiovascular disease. Delivering the therapy includes delivering a vagal stimulation therapy (VST) to a vagus nerve of the person at a therapeutically-effective intensity for the cardiovascular disease that is below an upper boundary at which upper boundary the VST would lower an intrinsic heart rate during the VST. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197334 | Methods and Devices for Accurately Classifying Cardiac Activity - Methods, systems, and devices for signal analysis in an implanted cardiac monitoring and treatment device such as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In some examples, captured data including detected events is analyzed to identify likely overdetection of cardiac events. In some illustrative examples, when overdetection is identified, data may be modified to correct for overdetection, to reduce the impact of overdetection, or to ignore overdetected data. Several examples emphasize the use of morphology analysis using correlation to static templates and/or inter-event correlation analysis. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197335 | CERAMIC BUSHING WITH INDUCTIVE FILTER - On aspect relates to an electrical bushing for use in a housing of an implantable medical device. The electrical bushing includes at least one electrically insulating base body and at least one electrical conducting element. The conducting element is set up to establish, through the base body, at least one electrically conductive connection between an internal space of the housing and an external space. The conducting element is hermetically sealed with respect to the base body. The at least one conducting element includes at least one cermet. The electrical bushing includes an electrical filter structure. The at least one conducting element forms at least one conducting section of an inductor of the filter structure. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197336 | INTRA-BURST PULSE VARIATION FOR STIMULATION THERAPY - In general, the disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and techniques for delivering electrical stimulation to a patient with varying pulse frequencies within each burst of pulses. The pulse frequency variation within each burst of pulses may be between approximately 20 Hz and 40 Hz. In some examples, the pulse frequency may be increased, decreased, or polynomially varied within each burst. In other examples, the frequency of intrinsic nerve impulses may be detected and used to deliver pulses with the detected frequency or an inverse of the detected frequency. Electrical stimulation therapy with intra-burst pulse frequency variation may alleviate bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, pain or other disorders. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197337 | BILATERAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION THERAPY FOR BLADDER DYSFUNCTION - A medical device is configured to deliver a first stimulation therapy to a patient, and, upon detecting a trigger event, deliver a second stimulation therapy to the patient. In some examples, the first stimulation therapy includes bilateral stimulation in which stimulation is delivered at different times to two lateral sides of the patient and the second stimulation therapy includes substantially simultaneous bilateral stimulation therapy to two lateral sides of the patient. In some examples, the second stimulation therapy may elicit a stronger inhibitory physiological response related to incontinence (e.g., inhibition of bladder contractions) than the first stimulation therapy. The trigger event may include, for example, any one or more of detection of a physiological condition indicative of an increased possibility of an involuntary voiding event or an imminent involuntary voiding event, input from the patient, a predetermined time of day, or expiration of a timer. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197338 | STIMULATION THERAPY INCLUDING SUBSTANTIALLY SIMULTANEOUS BILATERAL STIMULATION - In some examples, a medical device delivers a first electrical stimulation therapy to a patient, and, upon detecting a trigger event, delivers a second electrical stimulation therapy to the patient. In some examples, the first stimulation therapy includes unilateral stimulation or stimulation delivered to both lateral sides of the patient at different times at a stimulation intensity lower than, equal to, or greater than a threshold intensity level for the patient, or bilateral stimulation delivered substantially simultaneously to both lateral sides of the patient, where one lateral side of the patient receives stimulation at an intensity level that is lower than the threshold intensity level and the other lateral side receives stimulation at an intensity level that is greater than or equal to the threshold intensity level. The second stimulation therapy may include substantially simultaneous bilateral stimulation therapy at an intensity level that at or above the threshold intensity level. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197339 | TREATMENT DEVICE FOR URINATION DISORDERS - Disclosed is a treatment device for urination disorders, said treatment device being capable of determining whether or not stimulation-applying electrodes are appropriately arranged and whether or not nerves that control urine accumulation and urination are being appropriately stimulated. The disclosed treatment device can therefore provide appropriate treatment for urination disorders. The treatment device is provided with: at least one pair of stimulation-applying electrodes that apply a stimulation signal to the dorsal surface of the sacrum; a stimulation-signal source that supplies the stimulation signal applied by the stimulation-applying electrodes; a stimulation-transmission detection electrode that is disposed near tissue connected to nerves that run near the sacrum or to the sacrum, and that detects a biosignal that arises in response to the stimulation signal; a ground electrode; a measurement unit that measures the biosignal detected by the stimulation-transmission detection electrode; a control unit that controls the application of the stimulation signal by the pair of stimulation-applying electrodes; and a display means that displays the measurement result from the measurement unit. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197340 | Screening Devices and Methods for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Therapy - Devices and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea by first performing an assessment of the patient that involves observing the patient's upper airway during a tongue protrusion maneuver. The assessment may, for example, be done using endoscopy to observe the upper airway while the patient is awake in the supine position. An adequate response of the upper airway during the tongue protrusion maneuver is indicative of likely therapeutic success with hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and may be used for making clinical decisions. The principles of the present invention may be applied to other therapeutic interventions for OSA involving the upper airway. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197341 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING BATTERY CAPACITY - A method for estimating capacity of a battery in an implantable medical device includes obtaining a characteristic curve of voltage versus resistance for the battery, periodically determining voltage and resistance of the battery, and comparing the resistance with a third derivative function of the characteristic curve, the third derivative function having roots representing near depletion of the battery and end of service of the battery, respectively. Remaining time of service of the battery can also be determined by comparing the resistance value with a curve of battery capacity versus resistance for the battery. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197342 | SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR NEUROSTIMULATION AND NEUROTELEMETRY USING SEMICONDUCTOR DIODE SYSTEMS - Methods and systems for neurostimulation and/or neurotelemetry of electrically-excitable biological tissue. Embodiments include implanting single or multiple semiconductor diodes and applying a high frequency electrical volume current. Neurostimulation embodiments include local rectification of the volume current by the diode, which can provide a pulsating electrical waveform capable of locally stimulating neural tissue, hi neurotelemetry embodiments, semiconductor diodes can be placed in contact with excitable tissue and a low level electrical carrier wave can be passed through the tissue and implanted diode whereby low level tissue bioelectric events intermodulate with the carrier wave and encode bioelectrical effects. Remote detection and amplitude demodulation of the volume-conducted carrier wave can allow recovery of the bioelectrical waveform and provide a neurotelemetry function, hi other embodiments, implanted diodes are placed in series with a pressure switch or piezoelectric material which enables their function only with the focal application of an acoustic pressure wave. This enables a selectivity amongst multiple diode channels by acoustic wave focusing or alternately by a process of range-gating of a surface applied electrical current to the arrival time of an acoustic wave at a particular device. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197343 | APPARATUS FOR FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION OF THE BODY - A controller is provided for a functional electrical stimulator for attachment to a leg comprising, a connector for a foot switch for sensing foot rise or foot strike, a circuit for responding to said foot switch for generating stimulation pulses and a connector for first and second electrodes for attachment to the leg for supplying stimulation pulses from said circuit The circuit includes a voltage divider of which the foot switch when connected comprises one element, a second element being provided by a digital potentiometer forming part of the controller. A micro controller is configured to make adaptive adjustment of the resistance of said digital potentiometer to take account of the resistance characteristics of the foot switch to provide an output or reference voltage permitting an open/closed state of the switch to be monitored. In an embodiment, manually operable external control devices form part of said controller and the micro controller is configured on operation of said external control devices to change between a working state in which stimulation pulses are provided depending on the state of the foot switch and a setup state for entry using the external control devices of parameters defining characteristics of the stimulation pulses. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197344 | ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATING HARD BODY TISSUE - A method of preparing a target hard body tissue, such as osseous or dental tissue, to receive an implant component including; positioning an active electrode in proximity to a target tissue and proximate an electrically conductive fluid, followed by applying a high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode, the high frequency voltage sufficient to form a plasma. This plasma modifies at least a portion of the target tissue. An implant component may then be placed adjacent at least a portion of the modified target tissue. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197345 | Medical Device User Interface - A medical device includes a housing. A sensor, such as an accelerometer, a magnetic field sensor such as a Hall sensor, and/or a gyroscope, provides a sensor signal in response to a translation of the housing and/or a rotation of the housing. A controller controls the medical device, based at least in part, on the sensor signal. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197346 | Optimizing Pitch Allocation in a Cochlear Implant - Errors in pitch allocation within a cochlear implant are corrected in order to provide a significant and profound improvement in the quality of sound perceived by the cochlear implant user. The disclosure provides a tool for determining the implant fitting curve for cochlear implant system to correct pitch warping. The method presents familiar musical tunes to determine the implant fitting slope (relative alignment). In addition, in one embodiment, speech sounds may be used to determine the offset of the fitting line (absolute alignment). The use of music and speech to determine the implant fitting curve (line) and the slope is facilitated by using techniques to implement virtual electrodes to more precisely direct stimuli to the location or “place” on the cochlea. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197347 | FAR FIELD TELEMETRY OPERATIONS BETWEEN AN EXTERNAL DEVICE AND AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE DURING RECHARGE OF THE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE VIA A PROXIMITY COUPLING - Far field telemetry operations are conducted between an external device and an implantable medical device while power is being transferred to the implantable medical device for purposes of recharging a battery of the implantable medical device. The far field operations may include exchanging recharge information that has been collected by the implantable medical device which allows the external device to exercise control over the recharge process. The far field operations may include suspending far field telemetry communications for periods of time while power continues to be transferred where suspending far field telemetry communications may include powering down far field telemetry communication circuits of the implantable medical device for periods of time which may conserve energy. The far field operations may further include transferring programming instructions to the implantable medical device. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197348 | FAR FIELD TELEMETRY COMMUNICATION WITH A MEDICAL DEVICE DURING A RECHARGE SESSION WHERE A PRIOR PAIRING WITH THE MEDICAL DEVICE MAY NOT EXIST - Far field telemetry communications are conducted during recharge sessions between an external device and an implantable medical device. The two devices may not have been previously paired together for far field telemetry and may have been paired with other devices for far field telemetry during previous recharge sessions and/or programming sessions. Embodiments provide for temporary bonding of the two devices for far field telemetry during the recharge session. The implantable medical device of the recharge session may maintain a programming bond with an external device other than the external device conducting the recharge session. Safeguards against establishment of inadvertent programming sessions between the external device that has conducted a recharge session and implantable medical devices that may or may not be bonded to that external device are provided. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197349 | COMMUNICATION DIPOLE FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - This disclosure is directed to an implantable medical device having a housing that encloses at least a communication module. The implantable medical device also includes a first electrode electrically coupled to the communication module and an electrically conductive fixation mechanism that is mechanically coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the communication module within the housing. The electrically conductive fixation mechanism includes a dielectric material that covers part of a surface of the fixation mechanism. A portion of the electrically conductive fixation mechanism is not covered by the dielectric material such that the portion of the electrically conductive fixation mechanism is exposed to form a second electrode that is electrically coupled to the communication module. The communication module is configured to communicate using the first electrode and second electrode. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197350 | COMMUNICATION DIPOLE FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - This disclosure is directed to an implantable medical device having a communication dipole configured in accordance with the techniques described herein. In one example, the disclosure is directed to an implantable medical device comprising a housing that encloses at least a communication module, a first electrode of a communication dipole electrically coupled to the communication module and an electrically conductive fixation mechanism that is electrically coupled to a portion of the housing and wherein a portion of the fixation mechanism is configured to function as at least part of a second electrode of the communication dipole. The electrically conductive fixation mechanism includes a dielectric material that covers at least part of a surface of the fixation mechanism. The communication module is configured to transmit or receive a modulated signal between the first electrode and second electrode of the communication dipole. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197351 | MEDICAL DEVICE RECHARGE SYSTEMS USING A CONTROLLER IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION WITH A SEPARATE RECHARGE DEVICE - Medical device recharging systems include a controller and a separate recharge device that communicate wirelessly together to provide recharging to an implantable medical device. Either the controller or the recharge device may also communicate wirelessly with the implantable medical device to obtain recharge status and other information. There may be multiple recharge devices present within communication range of the controller, and the controller may determine which recharge device to activate depending upon proximity of each recharge device to the implantable medical device. The controller may allow the recharge device that is active at any given time to change so that the patient having the implantable medical device can move about in the area where the recharge devices are located while recharging continues. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197352 | Charging and Communication System for a Battery-Powered Microstimulator - A system and method are provided for both recharging and communicating with a stimulator having a rechargeable battery, which stimulator is implanted deeply in the body, in particular where the stimulator is a microstimulator, the system includes a base station and an external device, for instance a chair pad. The chair pad may contain an antenna/charging coil and a booster coil. The antenna/charging coil can be used for charging the rechargeable battery and also for communicating with the stimulator using frequency shift keying and on-off keying. The booster coil can be used to recharge a battery depleted to zero volts. The base station connected to the chair pad may be used to power the antenna/charging coil and the booster coil. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197353 | WEARABLE MEDICAL TREATMENT DEVICE - A wearable treatment device includes a cardiac sensing electrode, a treatment electrode, a user interface, and a sensor. The cardiac sensing electrode detects cardiac information, and the treatment electrode applies treatment to a subject. The user interface receives quality of life information from the subject, and the sensor detects subject activity and wellness information. A controller coupled with the cardiac sensing electrode, the treatment electrode, the user interface, and the sensor receives the detected cardiac information, the quality of life information, and the detected subject activity and wellness information, and determines that treatment is to be applied to the body of the subject based upon the detected cardiac information. The controller can adjust the treatment based on at least one of the detected subject activity and wellness information and the quality of life information. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197354 | Techniques for Sensing and Adjusting a Compliance Voltage in an Implantable Stimulator Device - Disclosed herein are methods and circuitry for monitoring and adjusting a compliance voltage in an implantable stimulator devices to an optimal value that is sufficiently high to allow for proper circuit performance (i.e., sufficient current output), but low enough that power is not needlessly wasted via excessive voltage drops across the current output circuitry. The algorithm measures output voltages across the current source and sink circuitry during at least periods of actual stimulation when both the current sources and sinks are operable, and adjusts the compliance voltage so as to reduce these output voltages to within guard band values preferably indicative for operation in transistor saturation. The output voltages can additionally be monitored during periods between stimulation pulses to improve the accuracy of the measurement, and is further beneficial in that such additional measurements are not perceptible to the patient. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197355 | MOTION SICKNESS DEVICE - An electrically powered device ( | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197356 | Waveforms for Remote Electrical Stimulation Therapy - Electrical stimulation systems and methods are configured to deliver remote electrical stimulation to a patient. Stimulation waveforms are employed that are designed to penetrate tissue within a patient to transmit the electrical stimulation from an origination site to a remote delivery site. The waveforms are defined by a series of pulses, which are characterized by a number of parameters, including pulse width, pulse frequency, constant voltage or constant current amplitude, and electrode polarity (anode or cathode). The waveforms include an envelope electrical stimulation pulse train including charge balanced pulses modulated by a high frequency carrier signal configured to deeply penetrate patient tissue to carry the electrical pulse train from an origination site to a remote delivery site. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197357 | HANDHELD APPARATUS FOR USE BY A NON-PHYSICIAN CONSUMER TO FRACTIONALLY RESURFACE THE SKIN OF THE CONSUMER - Apparatus for delivering optical energy and, in particular, to a handheld apparatus for use by a non-physician consumer. The handheld apparatus is configured to conduct fractional resurfacing or other cosmetic treatment of the consumer's skin with optical energy. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197358 | Light Therapy for Treating or Managing Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome - Techniques for managing diabetes and pre-diabetes using light are disclosed herein. In one example, a light generating device is positioned to a body part of a diabetic or pre-diabetic patient, and a beam of light generated by the light generating device is directed to the body part of the patient to control blood sugar level of the patient. In various embodiments, the beam of light directed to the patient can also help to control the blood lipid level such as triglyceride level, blood liver enzyme of the patient, and various other symptoms of diabetes and pre-diabetes. In various embodiments, the body part includes body area rich in adipose tissue, such as the abdominal area, thigh, buttocks, and upper arms of the patient. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197359 | PHOTOTHERAPY APPARATUS FOR SKIN TREATMENT - A wearable hands-free apparatus for providing phototherapy treatment to a number of skin related conditions includes a head unit (e.g., a headset, headphones, headband, or helmet unit) with earphones to allow the user to listen to an audio program during a treatment. The head unit supports a light emitting canopy band that is fitted with an array of light generating sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes, or infrared lights, that emit light within a particular wavelength range correlating with the treatment of one or more specific skin-related conditions. The light emitting canopy band is specifically designed for providing complete, uniform and consistent light coverage to a user's face. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197360 | SYSTEM FOR INNER EYELID HEAT AND PRESSURE TREATMENT FOR TREATING MEIBOMIAN GLAND DYSFUNCTION - A system for treating meibomian gland dysfunction comprising a heating element that applies heat to the inside of the eyelid to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands, which assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow to the lipid layer to treat dry eye. Temperatures at the meibomian glands reach desired higher temperature levels more quickly and efficiently when heating the inside of the eyelid, which may assist in removing obstructions in the meibomian glands. Less time may also be required to reach desired temperature levels when applying heat to the inside of the eyelid. A force application device may also apply force to the patient's eyelid to express the obstruction from the meibomian gland, including from a channel of the meibomian gland, and to increase the temperature level and/or reduce the time to reach desired temperature levels. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197361 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE SLEEP APNEA UTILIZING CRYOLYSIS OF ADIPOSE TISSUES - Methods, devices, and systems employ cryolysis of oropharyngeal adipose tissues to selectively remove fat cells from the tissues causing obstructive sleep apnea. In various embodiments, a chilled liquid—e.g., a liquid or air—is applied to the target tissue at a temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause cryolysis. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197362 | DEVICES FOR COOLING THE NASAL CAVITY - A cerebral cooling device that uses a pressurized source to deliver a fluid that evaporates in the nasal cavity to provide cooling and has a balloon on the distal end that inflates from some of the pressure front the pressurized source. The device includes a nasal catheter having delivery ports located in the distal region and a balloon on the distal end. The proximal end of the catheter is in fluid communication with a pressurized source of a low boiling point fluid. A manifold located between the pressurized source and the catheter distributes the fluid and pressure from the pressurized source to a first lumen of the catheter to inflate the balloon and to a second lumen of the catheter through the delivery ports to cool the nasal cavity. A check valve in the manifold ensures that the fluid and pressure are first delivered to the balloon. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197363 | Wound Heat Exchanger - A capillary tube bundle sub-assembly for use in an extracorporeal heat exchanger includes a continuous capillary tubing wound about a core to define a plurality of capillary layers each including a plurality of capillary segments. The capillary segments each define opposing terminal ends adjacent opposing ends of the core. The capillary segments of each layer are circumferentially aligned relative to an axis of the core, with each successive layer being radially outward of an immediately preceding layer. The capillary segments are non-parallel with the axis, spiraling partially about the axis in extension between the opposing terminal ends. Each capillary segment forms less than one complete revolution (i.e., winds less than 360°). The segments within each layer are substantially parallel with one another; however, an orientation of the segments differs from layer-to-layer such as by pitch or angle. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197364 | PHOTOELECTRICAL DEVICES FOR STIMULATING NEURONS - The present invention provides a novel photoelectrical device for efficient transmission of electrical signals to a neuron. This photoelectrical device comprises one or more charging units for coupling to and stimulating one or more neurons by charge, the charging unit comprising: a nanostructure-based electrode having a surface, which has a predetermined developed surface area for coupling to a neuron and which carries a plurality of photosensitive regions (e.g. quantum dots) interfacing with a biocompatible macromolecule for tuning the relative energy levels between the photosensitive regions and the electrode, as well as for directing the spatial polarity of charge separation the surface being thereby electrically chargeable and dischargeable in response to light excitation of the photosensitive regions, the charges stimulating the neuron when coupled to the surface. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197365 | ISOLATED LEAD CONDUCTOR MEASUREMENTS FOR FAULT DETECTION - This disclosure relates to a medical electrical lead having fault detection and fault isolation. The lead may include a first conductor coupled to a first electrode and a second conductor coupled to a second electrode. A capacitor is disposed within the lead and selectively coupled to the first and second conductors of the lead. The capacitor is charged in a test mode of operation after the first and second electrodes have been isolated from the conductors via an isolation mechanism and the capacitor will discharge through the first and second conductors. The capacitor discharge morphology is processed to detect lead-related conditions. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197366 | HIGH DIELECTRIC CONSTANT SHEATH MATERIALS FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE LEADS OR CATHETERS - A medical lead and a method of making the medical lead, the medical lead having a proximal end for electrical connection to a medical device and a distal end implantable proximate a target tissue. The lead includes a conductor and a sheath disposed over the conductor, the sheath comprising a polymer and a filler mixed in the polymer. The filler has a dielectric constant that is different from a dielectric constant of the polymer. The weight percentage of the filler in the sheath is selected such that energy induced by an external disruptive energy field in the conductor that is absorbed by the target tissue proximate the distal end of the lead is below a predetermined threshold energy. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197367 | ANCHORS INCLUDING RIGID BODIES DEFINING FULL LENGTH SLOTS FOR USE WITH IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEADS - Anchors for use with implantable medical leads include an elastic body containing one or more rigid bodies that have longitudinal free edges. The longitudinal free edges run from end to end to define full length slots. Partial length slots may also be included within the one or more rigid bodies. The full length and partial length slots allow for deflection of the rigid bodies against the body of an implantable medical lead to hold the anchor in place on the lead. The full length slots allow a blade to pass through and cut a slit in the elastic body which allows the anchor to be removed from the lead. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197368 | CERAMIC BUSHING WITH FILTER - One aspect relates to an electrical bushing for use in a housing of an implantable medical device. The electrical bushing includes at least one electrically insulating base body and at least one electrical conducting element. The conducting element is set up to establish, through the base body, at least one electrically conductive connection between an internal space of the housing and an external space. The conducting element is hermetically sealed with respect to the base body. The at least one conducting element includes at least one cermet. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197369 | 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. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197370 | NEUROSTIMULATION SYSTEM - Some embodiments of the present invention provide neurostimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia. Some other embodiments of the present invention provide neurostimulation systems adapted for selective neurostimulation of one or more nerve root ganglia as well as techniques for applying neurostimulation to the spinal cord. Still other embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia in combination with a pharmacological agent. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197371 | CUFF ELECTRODE HAVING TUBULAR BODY WITH CONTROLLED CLOSING FORCE - Nerve cuff electrode including a tubular body having a longitudinal slit and a flap curled over the slit. The tubular body includes a central cathode disposed between two anodes. The region opposite the slit includes a flexible region that determines the flexibility and strength of tube opening and closing. The cuff electrode having a hinge region with a non-linear effective spring constant which can be higher at low cuff openings and lower at large opening to provide an effective yet non-damaging closing force over a wide range of cuff openings. In use, the tube body can be pulled apart using attached suture loops, with one loop and flap pulled under the nerve followed by part of the tubular body. The tubular body can be closed over the nerve and the flap closed over the tube slit. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197372 | PERCUTANEOUS PLACEMENT OF ELECTRODES - This document relates to methods and materials involved in delivering therapies to target tissue (e.g., a peripheral nerve). For example, methods and materials for placing and subsequently using leads to deliver electrical and/or drug therapies to target tissues (e.g., nerves and/or arteries) are provided. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197373 | Delivery Catheter Systems and Methods - A delivery system for implanting a leadless cardiac pacemaker into a patient is provided. The cardiac pacemaker can include a docking or delivery feature having a through-hole disposed on or near a proximal end of the pacemaker for attachment to the delivery system. In some embodiments, the delivery catheter can include first and second tethers configured to engage the delivery feature of the pacemaker. The tethers, when partially aligned, can have a cross-sectional diameter larger than the through-hole of the delivery feature, and when un-aligned, can have a cross-sectional diameter smaller than the through-hole of the delivery feature. Methods of delivering the leadless cardiac pacemaker with the delivery system are also provided. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197374 | Combined Stimulation with Controlled Light Distribution for Electro-Optical Cochlear Implants - An implantable stimulation device is described which includes an implantable stimulation source carrier for insertion into or adjacent to target tissue. The stimulation source carrier includes stimulation contacts for delivering neural stimulation signals to nearby target tissue. At least one of the stimulation contacts is an optical stimulation element having multiple individual optical stimulation sub-elements for delivering optical stimulation signals to the nearby target tissue with controlled shape and direction. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197375 | LEADS WITH SPIRAL OF HELICAL SEGMENTED ELECTRODE ARRAYS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE LEADS - A stimulation lead includes a lead body having a longitudinal surface, a distal end, a proximal end, and a shaft extending along at least a portion of the distal end of the lead body. The stimulation lead also includes multiple segmented electrode members disposed on the shaft along the longitudinal surface of the lead body near the distal end of the lead body. Each segmented electrode member includes a ring structure which forms at least a partial ring and is disposed on the shaft, and a segmented electrode coupled to the ring and having an exposed surface configured and arranged for stimulating tissue when the stimulation lead is implanted. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197376 | VASCULAR DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD - A delivery device and method for deploying a stent-graft within a body lumen of a patient are provided. According to one embodiment, the delivery device includes a tubular member lock that couples an outer tubular member of the device with an inner tubular member, such that as the outer tubular member is retracted to deploy the stent-graft, the distal-most end of the delivery device is also retracted. In one embodiment, the delivery device also includes a stent lock disposed on an intermediate tubular member that is configured to releasably couple the stent-graft and the intermediate tubular member. The inner tubular member and the outer tubular member are configured to be coupled to one another such that movement of the outer tubular member results in movement of the inner tubular member with respect to the intermediate tubular member so as to deploy the stent-graft. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197377 | WIRE WITH COMPLIANT SHEATH - An apparatus for deployment and retrieval of a self-expanding intravascular stent includes an intravascular delivery wire and one or more rings of compliant material fixedly mounted over at least a portion of the intravascular delivery wire. The distal portion of the intravascular delivery wire can be stepped, having a smaller diameter than the proximal portion, and forming a hard stop. Distal and proximal bands can also be provided on the intravascular delivery wire to form hard stops. A self-expanding intravascular stent can releasably retained on the compliant material. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197378 | BALLOON CATHETER WITH INTEGRATED STOP FEATURE FOR PRECISE STENT PLACEMENT, FOR OSTIAL, RENAL AND OTHER LOCATIONS - Systems and methods for delivering a medical device to a vessel within a mammalian body are provided. The medical device may have a tubular body with an interior and an exterior surface. A delivery device may include a balloon assembly having one or more balloons, with a proximal and portion with the medical device mounted thereon. When the balloon assembly is partially inflated the proximal portion has a larger diameter than the distal portion which may be inserted into the vessel. The proximal portion may have a sufficiently large diameter that prevents it from being inserted into the vessel and permits it to function as a stop. The balloon assembly may be further inflated to deploy the medical device within the vessel. The medical device diameter may expand and optionally contact the interior surface of the vessel when deployed. Alternatively, the invention may be configured to dilate tissue, without deploying a medical device. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197379 | DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF IMPLANTATION FOR PROSTHETIC HEART VALVES - A delivery system with sequential release mechanism and method of delivering and deploying an implantable stented device into a body lumen including a tabular body, a plurality of activation members extending from the distal end of the tubular body, and a plurality of disks. Each disk includes a proximal and distal surface, at least one stent engagement element attached to the distal surface of the disk and at least one aperture. At least one activation member attaches to the proximal surface of a first disk and at least one activation member passes through an aperture of the first disk and attaches to the proximal surface of a second disk. At least one stent engagement element attached to the distal surface of the first disk passes through an aperture of the second disk. Axially movement of the activation members causes sequential release of the stent engagement elements from a stented device. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197380 | Medical Devices and Related Methods - This disclosure relates to medical devices and related methods. In some embodiments, the methods include applying a material to the balloon and then removing the material from one or more regions of the balloon. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197381 | STENT-GRAFT WITH PROXIMAL AND DISTAL ATTACHMENT, DELIVERY CATHETER AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME - A metallic or pseudometallic covered stent in which the stent component and the cover component are each fabricated of biocompatible metallic or pseudometallic materials, in which the cover and the stent are joined by at least one juncture at each of a proximal and distal end of the stent and the cover. A method of joining the stent and the cover is also disclosed. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197382 | ENDOLUMINAL PROSTHESIS COMPRISING A VALVE REPLACEMENT AND AT LEAST ONE FENESTRATION - An endoluminal prosthesis comprises a graft having a tubular body comprising proximal and distal ends, and a valve replacement disposed between the proximal and distal ends of the graft. At least one stent is coupled to the graft and has a contracted delivery state and an expanded state for maintaining patency within a portion of the graft. At least one fenestration is disposed in a sidewall of the graft at a location distal to the valve replacement. In one embodiment, the at least one fenestration is pivotable in any direction away from an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the prosthesis. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197383 | THORACIC STENT GRAFT WITH GUIDE ARRANGEMENT - A stent graft ( | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197384 | IMPLANTABLE AND LUMEN-SUPPORTING STENTS AND RELATED METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE - An implantable medical stent system, including a radially expandable stent including a filamental structure in a pattern surrounding a bore to form a substantially tubular wall along a length relative to a longitudinal axis; wherein the filamental structure includes at least one actuate crown with a crown peak having a radius of curvature located along a reference axis, and first and second arcuate crown shoulders on first and second sides, respectively, of the reference axis; and wherein the filamental structure also includes at least one pair of adjacent first and second elongated struts extending from the first and second crown shoulders, respectively. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197385 | STENT - Provided is a stent wherein the water-swellable polymer fine particles applied thereto rarely peel off even when the stent is deformed or when the water-swellable polymer fine particles are swollen. A stent wherein a plurality of water-swellable polymer fine particles are chemically fixed on the stent surface in a dispersed state is provided. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197386 | Stent-Valves for Valve Replacement and Associated Methods and Systems for Surgery - Stent-valves (e.g., single-stent-valves and double-stent-valves), associated methods and systems for their delivery via minimally-invasive surgery, and guide-wire compatible closure devices for sealing access orifices are provided. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197387 | STENT WITH INTERNAL FORCE AND FABRICATION METHOD THEREOF - A stent includes: a main body unit including a plurality of through holes and configured to have a net-like shape; and a coating unit filling the through holes of the main body unit and configured as a layer on the main body unit, wherein the main body unit has force of restitution to be restored to its original shape, and the coating unit includes a support unit for maintaining the shape of the main body unit by hampering the restoration of the main body unit and a blocking unit blocking the through holes of the main body unit to discriminate the interior and the exterior of the main body unit. The stent can be quickly expanded in a blood vascular system, or the like, after being inserted into the body in a surgical procedure, thus improving expansion (or extension) effect. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197388 | COAPTATION ENHANCEMENT IMPLANT, SYSTEM, AND METHOD - Implants, implant systems, and methods for treatment of mitral valve regurgitation and other valve diseases generally include a coaptation assist body which remains within the blood flow path as the leaflets of the valve move, the valve bodies often being relatively thin, elongate (along the blood flow path), and/or conformable structures which extend laterally from commissure to commissure, allowing the native leaflets to engage and seal against the large, opposed surfaces on either side of the valve body during the heart cycle phase when the ventricle contracts to empty that chamber of blood, and allows blood to pass around the valve body so that blood flows from the atrium to the ventricle during the filling phase of the heart cycle. Separate deployment of independent anchors near each of the commissures may facilitate positioning and support of an exemplary triangular valve body, with a third anchor being deployed in the ventricle. An outer surface of the valve body may accommodate tissue ingrowth or endothelialization, while a fluid-absorbing matrix can swell after introduction into the heart. The valve body shape may be selected after an anchor has been deployed, and catheter-based deployment systems may have a desirable low profile. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197389 | Device and Method for Modifying the Shape of a Body Organ - An intravascular support device includes a support or reshaper wire, a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The support wire engages a vessel wall to change the shape of tissue adjacent the vessel in which the intravascular support is placed. The anchors and support wire are designed such that the vessel in which the support is placed remains open and can be accessed by other devices if necessary. The device provides a minimal metal surface area to blood flowing within the vessel to limit the creation of thrombosis. The anchors can be locked in place to secure the support within the vessel. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197390 | BLUNT ENDED STENT FOR PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE - A collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a stent and a valve assembly. The stent has a proximal end and a distal end and includes a plurality of struts. The struts have free ends configured to inhibit tissue penetration. The valve assembly, including a plurality of leaflets, is disposed within the stent. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197391 | LEAFLET SUTURING TO COMMISSURE POINTS FOR PROSTHETIC HEART VALVE - A collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent and a collapsible and expandable valve assembly. The stent has a proximal end and a distal end. A plurality of commissure points is disposed on the stent. The valve assembly is disposed within the stent and includes a plurality of leaflets. Each leaflet has a free edge. An end portion of the free edge of each leaflet is folded and sutured to a corresponding one of the plurality of the commissure points. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197392 | ADJUSTABLE ANNULOPLASTY RING WITH SUBCUTANEOUS ACTIVATION PORT - Annuloplasty rings are employed to treat heart valve defects, such as regurgitation. Synching the heart tissue to the ring restores the valve opening to its approximate original size and operating efficiency. Adjustable annuloplasty rings allow for a proper degree of synching both during open heart surgery and over the patient's lifetime. A subcutaneous port may be coupled to an adjustable annuloplasty ring such that an external activation energy generator can be used to heat the adjustable annuloplasty ring and thereby adjust the size of the annuloplasty ring. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197393 | SILICONE ARTIFICIAL BREAST PROSTHESIS WHICH MINIMIZES STRESS CONCENTRATION, AND PRODUCTION METHOD THEREFOR - The present invention relates to an artificial breast prosthesis which minimizes stress concentration and to a production method therefor, and more specifically relates to an artificial breast prosthesis which has excellent mechanical properties, superior tactile texture, and excellent safety and efficacy as a breast prosthesis, and also relates to a production method therefor. The artificial breast prosthesis made with the production method of the present invention, comprises a silicone shell which is of the same thickness as the connecting portion and has the same or similar physical properties thereof, and which minimizes the concentration of the stresses sustained after insertion into the body and maximizes resistance to fatigue failure such that durability is improved while at the same time the thinness of the connecting portion provides an outstanding texture to the prosthesis as a whole, and safety and efficiency are improved as stress concentration is minimized. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197394 | Auditory ossicle prosthesis with stabiliser element - An auditory ossicle prosthesis ( | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197395 | HYBRID SOLID-FLEXIBLE PASSING PIN AND ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT REPAIR USING THE PIN - A unitary hybrid solid-flexible wire pin with a leading portion composed of a solid, substantially rigid member and a trailing portion composed of a flexible component, the leading portion having a free first end and a second end, the trailing portion having a free first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the trailing portion and the second end of the leading portion are fixedly coupled to create the unitary hybrid solid-flexible wire pin. The unitary hybrid solid-flexible wire pin is used as a passing pin for tunnel reaming in anterior cruciate ligament repair. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197396 | HYBRID SOLID-FLEXIBLE PASSING PIN AND ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT REPAIR USING THE PIN - A unitary hybrid solid-flexible wire pin with a leading portion composed of a solid, substantially rigid member and a trailing portion composed of a flexible component, the leading portion having a free first end and a second end, the trailing portion having a free first end and a second end, wherein the second end of the trailing portion and the second end of the leading portion are fixedly coupled to create the unitary hybrid solid-flexible wire pin. The unitary hybrid soli-flexible wire pin is used as a passing pin for tunnel reaming in anterior cruciate ligament repair. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197397 | STRUCTURAL/BIOLOGICAL IMPLANT SYSTEM - A structural/biological implant and method of use. The implant being utilized as a single or multiple staged system that is designed to encourage new alveolar bone growth with or without the need to obtain autologous bone. The implant has an apical portion that is fastened into existing bone, with the remainder of the implant left outside of existing bone. The exposed portion of the implant may have an external shape or configuration with a variety of attached and/or integrally formed mechanical retention and stability elements. Osteotropic/angiotropic material may be associated with the implant to induce and or conduct new bone growth and possible vascularization, thus, rather than fitting the implant into the bone, the bone is grown integratively with the implant. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197398 | VERTEBRAL IMPLANT END CAP - An implant and method for insertion between adjacent vertebral members. The implant comprises an implant body with a base section having a plurality of base extensions, and an end cap adapted for selective axial positioning at a selected point on the base section. The end cap comprises locking, variable slot and flexing apertures configured to receive corresponding base extensions, and a variable aperture slot extending through the end cap which is adapted to enable the end cap to resiliently contract as the end cap is positioned on the base section. The locking apertures and flexing apertures will prevent rotational movement of the end cap relative to the base section once the end cap is secured to the base section. The implant imparts end cap height and angulation to an adjacent vertebral body at the selected or desired point when the implant is positioned in the intervertebral space. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197399 | INTERVERTEBRAL FUSTION DEVICE UTILIZING MULTIPLE MOBILE UNIAXIAL AND BIDIRECTIONAL SCREW INTERFACE PLATES - A system and method includes a housing dimensioned to be situated between adjacent spinal bones, such as adjacent vertebrae. Screws are provided in one embodiment and are dimensioned or configured to lock against each other to retain the screws and, consequently, the cover in place. Another embodiment illustrates a plurality of plate elements that can be slidably received and locked in the cage. Each of the plate elements are adapted to receive at least one screw and guide the screw at a predetermined angle into a vertebra, thereby securing the cage in an inter-vertebral space. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197400 | ARTIFICIAL CERVICAL VERTEBRAE COMPOSITE JOINT - An artificial cervical vertebrae composite joint is composed of two upper and lower fixing members disposed vertically symmetrically, a cervical vertebrae body member, and two connection members, the cervical vertebrae body member being connected between the fixing members through the connection members. The fixing members each have an L shape and comprise a front wing part and a base part. A locking screw hole is formed in the front wing part, and a skidproof groove provided with an inverted tooth and a protrusion is disposed on a middle portion of the base part. A bone grafting hole is transversely disposed through a middle portion of the cervical vertebrae body member, and two cavities are disposed on both upper and lower sides of the cervical vertebrae body member at an axial center of the cervical vertebrae body member to mount the connection members. The connection member has one end mounted in the cavity by means of a fixing ring, and another end connected with the fixing member to form a stable sliding-trough type ball-and-socket joint. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197401 | INTERBODY SPINAL IMPLANTS WITH MODULAR ADD-ON DEVICES - An implant assembly for a spinal column includes at least an interbody element and an add-on element that is removably attachable to the add-on element to form an implant assembly. At least a portion of the add-on element is positionable in a space between vertebrae along with the interbody element to support the vertebrae. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197402 | INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT WITH ROTATING MEMBER - An implant for spacing apart skeletal structures. The implant includes a base, a rotatable member, and a connector. The base extends around at least a portion of the member, and the member is pivotally connected to the base by the connector. The member includes a first pair of opposing sides that have a first height that is smaller than or equal to a height of the base, and a second pair of opposing sides that have a second height larger than the base. The member is movable to a first rotational position with the first pair of opposing sides facing in the same direction as the sides of the base such that the member is shorter than or equal to the base. The member is also movable to a second rotational position with the second pair of opposing sides facing in the same direction as the sides of the base such that the member is taller than the base. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197403 | EXPANDABLE MEDICAL IMPLANT - An implant with an adjustable height for spacing apart skeletal structures. The implant includes a base with a hollow interior. Collars include threaded inner surfaces and are positioned within the hollow interior of the base and are rotatable relative to the base. Threaded posts extend outward from the base and are threaded into the collars. Rotation of the collars adjusts an amount that the threaded posts extend outward from the base. An overall height of the implant can be adjusted to accommodate the size of the space and for the posts to contact against and space apart the skeletal structures. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197404 | INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT HAVING EXTENDABLE BONE FIXATION MEMBERS - An intervertebral implant is configured to be fixed in an intervertebral space defined by a first vertebral body and a second vertebral body. The intervertebral implant includes an implant body sized to be inserted into an intervertebral space, and a fixation assembly carried by the implant body. The fixation assembly includes a fixation housing and a plurality of fixation members attached to the fixation housing. The fixation assembly can be iterated from a retracted position to an extended position that causes the fixation members to travel along a channel of the implant body and out the implant body so as to attach the implant to the first and second vertebral bodies. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197405 | INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT - An intervertebral implant and related methods of use are provided for treatment of spaces between two vertebrae. The implant can comprise a first member and a second member that are configured for engagement in a stacked configuration. The first member and second member can be inserted separately so that the intervertebral space can be reached through limited access pathways. The first member and second member can be coupled in situ in the intervertebral space to form an implant of desired height. In this manner, an intervertebral implant having final dimensions that would not fit through a limited access pathway can be implanted through the access pathway by inserting the implant in separate member pieces. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197406 | Anterior Prosthetic Spinal Disc Replacement - The present invention relates generally to a prosthetic spinal disc for replacing a damaged disc between two vertebrae of a spine. The present invention also relates to a method for implanting a prosthetic spinal disc via anterior or anterior lateral implantation. Other surgical approaches for implanting the prosthetic disc may also be used. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197407 | HIGHLY LUBRICATING SLIDING MEMBER AND ARTIFICAL JOINT USING SAME - Disclosed are: a sliding member which is capable of maintaining wear resistance over a long period of time; an artificial joint member in which the polymer base is reduced in thickness; and an artificial joint which exhibits high lubricating properties in the body, biocompatibility and resistance to dislocation. Specifically disclosed is a polymer sliding material which has a coating layer (B) that is composed of a graft polymer containing a phosphorylcholine group and having a density of at least 1.4 g/cm | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197408 | Joint Arthroplasty Devices - A mobile bearing implant includes a first component. The first component includes a bone facing surface for engaging one of a substantially uncut articular cartilage surface and a substantially uncut subchondral bone surface. The bone facing surface substantially matches the one of the articular cartilage surface and the subchondral bone surface. The mobile bearing implant further includes an external surface. A bearing component has a first surface for slidingly engaging the external surface of the first component, and a second surface for engaging at least one of a second component, bone, and cartilage. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197409 | CONSTRAINED KNEE PROSTHESIS - A tibial insert includes a base and a post extending from the base along a longitudinal axis. The post has a medial surface, a lateral surface, and a height along the longitudinal axis. The medial surface has a medial section, and the lateral surface has a lateral section oriented substantially parallel to the medial section. The medial section and the lateral section each have a width in a substantially anterior-posterior direction that is sufficient to enable varus/valgus constraint over a flexion/extension range from extension to about 90 to 120 degrees of flexion when the tibial insert is mated with a femoral component. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197410 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR PATELLAR TENDON ADVANCEMENT IN QUADRUPEDS - Various methods and apparatus for cranially advancing the tuberosity and patellar tendon of a quadruped are disclosed. The patellar tendon can be advanced directly or indirectly by performing an osteotomy on the tuberosity, and subsequently advancing the tuberosity cranially to an advanced position. Implants are further disclosed for maintaining the patellar tendon, and in some embodiments also the tuberosity, in the advanced position. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197411 | KNEE JOINT DEVICE AND METHOD - A medical device for implantation in a knee joint of a human patient is provided. The medical device comprises: an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface comprises: a first point, a second point, a third point, a fourth point, a fifth point, and a sixth point, all points located on different places along a length axis of said inner surface. A first straight line, reaching from the first point to the second point is parallel to a second straight line reaching from the third point to the fourth point, which in turn is parallel to a third straight line reaching from the fifth point to the sixth point. The first and third straight lines are of equal length and the second straight line is longer than the first, furthermore the third straight line is positioned between the first and third straight lines. Wherein the medical device comprises a first articulating surface adapted replaced the surface of the contacting surface of the medial condyle, a second articulating surface adapted to replace the contacting surface of the lateral condyle and a third articulating surface adapted to replace the contacting surface of the patella. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197412 | ACETABULAR CUP WITH HIGH RETENTION CAPACITY - An acetabular cup includes an articular insert ( | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197413 | BIOCOMPATIBLE AND LOW-ABRASION MEMBER, AND ARTIFICIAL JOINT USING THE SAME AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME - The object of the present invention is to provide a sliding member, a prosthesis and a method of producing the sliding member, which can suppress production of abrasive wear debris by suppressing friction of the sliding section, and also can maintain satisfactory mechanical characteristics in vivo. A sliding member comprising: a substrate | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197414 | NERVE GRAFT - A nerve graft includes a carbon nanotube structure, a hydrophilic layer, and a nerve network. The hydrophilic layer having a polar surface is located on a surface of the carbon nanotube structure. The nerve network positioned on the polar surface of the hydrophilic layer includes a number of neurons connecting with each other. The nerve network has a polarity. The polar surface of the hydrophilic layer has a polarity attracted to the polarity of the nerve network. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197415 | GRIPPING FABRIC COATED WITH A BIORESORBABLE IMPENETRABLE LAYER - The present invention relates to a prosthetic fabric ( | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197416 | SAFETY CONTROLLER AND SAFETY CONTROL METHOD - To perform control in synchronization with a control cycle of a control target while maintaining safety. A safety controller includes: a processor; a system program for controlling allocation of an execution time of the processor to tasks; a signal generation unit that generates a periodic carrier signal; a control unit that updates a control content for the control target with a control content instructed by instruction information output from the processor, every first predetermined cycle of the carrier signal, and performs PWM control for the control target; and an interrupt signal generation unit that outputs an interrupt signal to the processor every second predetermined cycle of the carried signal. The processor executes the system program to schedule the tasks in accordance with scheduling information on a safety-related time partition and a normal control time partition, switches the time partitions according to an output of the interrupt signal, and outputs the instruction information to the control unit by a normal control task or a safety-related task. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197417 | Method for providing safety functions - The present invention relates to a method for safely providing safety functions for safety devices of an automation system. For this purpose, modular safety components are introduced, comprising a logic module (A, B, . . . , X), an address-dependent parameter module ( | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197418 | Portable Impact Assessment Device - The present invention generally relates to impact type training equipment for sports. More particularly, the present invention provides a portable impact assessment device that can be utilized across a broad variety of sports equipment to allow an athlete to measure various aspects of impact training. The apparatus generally includes an impact module constructed of a flexible material. The impact module is constructed and arranged to be sufficiently thin and compact to be placed within an impact type training aid within the impact target area of the device. The impact module is fluidly connected to an electronics module so that, upon impacting the training aid, the impact module is compressed to send a fluid signal to the electronics module. A pressure sensor within the electronics module receives the fluid signal generating an electric output that is displayed on a multi digit digital display. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197419 | Media Playback Control - Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for performing an action during playback based on a media manifest file. A system, such as a media player, configured to practice the method receives a media manifest, extracts, from the media manifest, a list of media chunks and at least one tag associated with the list of media chunks. The list of media chunks can describe two or more separate media assets. Then the system parses the at least one tag to identify an action to perform during playback and a playback position to perform the action. The system retrieves, for playback, at least one media chunk associated with the playback position from the list of media chunks, and, during playback of the at least one media chunk and at the playback position, performs the action. Modifying the media playback control can include temporarily disabling a media playback control. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197420 | SIGNAL PROCESSING DEVICE, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - A signal processing device includes a sound collecting unit configured to collect sound, a covering detecting unit configured to detect a covered state of the sound collecting unit on the basis of a resonance frequency and a magnitude of a component of the resonance frequency in a frequency characteristic of an acoustic signal obtained through sound collection performed by the sound collecting unit, and an apparatus control determining unit configured to determine a type of control to be performed on a target apparatus in accordance with the covered state of the sound collecting unit detected by the covering detecting unit. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197421 | MACHINE TOOL CONTROL SYSTEM - An optimum cutting feed rate of a machine tool is calculated at the outset and a tool path as well as the optimum cutting feed rate calculated is directly output to a driving unit of the machine tool. A relative movement between the work and a tool is made to occur along the tool path at the optimum cutting feed rate for each part of the tool path. To this end, a control system includes a CL data generating unit | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197422 | PRODUCT CUSTOMIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A product customization system and method are provided in which a consumer can insert user content, such as images or text, onto a product, such as a skateboard, and then view the customized product before purchasing the customized product. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197423 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SETTING RATES AND TARGETS IN A RANGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A method and apparatus includes determining a number of planned starts of a product during a predetermined time period for future processing, averaging the number of planned starts for the predetermined time period, and setting a production rate for a first range based on the average number of planned starts. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197424 | MACHINE TOOL, MACHINING METHOD, PROGRAM AND NC DATA GENERATION DEVICE - A work having a non-circular cross-section is machined by relative movement between the work and a tool, as the relative position and angle between the work and tool are changed at least within a plane including the cross-section of the work. In machining along a preset tool path, the difference between the relative angle at a point on the preset tool path which machining is started and that point on the preset tool path at which machining is finished is calculated. Time needed in machining along the preset tool path is equally divided by a preset number at equal time divisions, and positions on the tool path corresponding to equal time divisions are set as tool path points. When the tool moves through each point, the relative angle is continuously changed an angle corresponding to division of the difference of the relative angles by the preset number of equal time divisions (FIG. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197425 | PRODUCTION SYSTEM CONTROL MODEL UPDATING USING CLOSED LOOP DESIGN OF EXPERIMENTS - Methods and production control systems are presented in which design of experiments are performed in situ and produce model parameter estimates that relate actuator set points to any number of response variables, and the model is periodically updated based on these designed experiments and used as the basis for determining actuator set points. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197426 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING INDICES TO QUANTIFY OPERATING TRANSITION PERFORMANCE OF A CONTINUOUS PROCESS - A system and method for generating indices to quantify operating transition performance of a continuous process, such as a sheet forming process, includes a computer system that is configured to generate a normalized overall transition performance index. The overall transition performance index is formed from a plurality of individual parameter indices associated with specific production components or portions of the process line. As such, the individual parameter indices allow a user of the system to readily identify the particular portion of the continuous process line that is performing below desired levels. In addition, because the overall transition performance index is normalized, it enables comparison of the operating transition performance of multiple process lines. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197427 | Apparatus For Cutting Amd/or Etching Articles Comprising A Flat Surface On Which Designs And/or Writings Are Reproduced And A method For Actuating The Apparatus - An apparatus ( | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197428 | Method For Making a Pinata - A method of making a piñata having a realistic image on the piñata itself. The steps include (1) providing a three-dimensional geometric object having a hollow center; (2) providing a two-dimensional image; (3) creating a digital copy of the two-dimensional image on an electronic device; (4) manipulating the digital image of the two-dimensional image into a digital image wherein the digital image can be placed around the three-dimensional geometric object; (5) preparing the digital image onto a material; (6) affixing the hard copy of the digital image to said three-dimensional geometric object; and (7) filling the geometric object with a plurality of objects. | 2012-08-02 |
| 20120197429 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING SUITABILITY OF AN IMAGE TO EMBROIDERY - Methods and systems are presented for determining the suitability of an original image to embroidery based on analysis of the image and calculation of various metrics indicative of embroidery suitability. | 2012-08-02 |
