| 33rd week of 2009 patent applcation highlights (08-13-09/08-13-09_49) part 49 |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
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| 20090204119 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR TISSUE MODIFICATION - Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue. In one variation, tissue may be ablated, resected, removed, or otherwise remodeled by standard small endoscopic tools delivered into the epidural space through an epidural needle. The sharp tip of the needle in the epidural space, can be converted to a blunt tipped instrument for further safe advancement. The current invention includes specific tools that enable safe tissue modification in the epidural space, including a barrier that separates the area where tissue modification will take place from adjacent vulnerable neural and vascular structures. A nerve stimulator may be provided to reduce a risk of inadvertent neural abrasion. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204120 | Bone Cement Application System - The invention relates to a device for the application of bone cement, in particular in the field of vertebroplasty, comprising an application conduit ( | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204121 | Drill Sleeve - A drill sleeve is provided for guiding a bone drill in alignment with the screw holes and drill guides. The drill sleeve includes a cylindrical body having a first end, a second end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The cylindrical body includes a longitudinal bore therethrough that is sized for passage of a bone drill. The drill sleeve also includes a frictional retaining element for exerting a bearing force against the surface of the bone drill, such that the frictional retaining element may support at least the weight of the drill sleeve on the bone drill. The bone drill has graduated indicia, and a portion of the drill sleeve may be referenced relative to the indicia so as to be used as a depth gauge for determining the length of a drilled hole in order to select a screw fastener having the appropriate length. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204122 | INTRAOCULAR LENS INSERTING INSTRUMENT - An intraocular lens inserting instrument capable of folding a lens and pressing it by a plunger to discharge it into an eye and alternatively capable of taking out the folded lens by tweezers. The intraocular lens inserting instrument for inserting a foldable intraocular lens into an eye has a tubular body for allowing the intraocular lens to pass through it and introducing it into the eye, and a plunger for pressing the intraocular lens to discharge it into the eye, wherein the intraocular lens is folded by a folding member provided at a lens placing section. The lens placing section has an open/close lid so that the folded intraocular lens is accessible to be held by the tweezers. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204123 | Lens Delivery System Cartridge - A cartridge for an IOL delivery system that has an injector tip geometry designed to reduce stresses at the incision wound edges generated during insertion of an IOL into an eye. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204124 | OBSTETRICAL VACUUM EXTRACTOR WITH OVER-TRACTION RELEASE - A vacuum extractor for obstetrical use comprises a vacuum cup at one end of an elongated stem having a handle at the opposite end. The vacuum cup is sealed over a portion of the head of the fetus and a vacuum source, usually operating through the stem, connects to the inner side of the cup and secures it to the fetal head. A strain sensor is connected to the stem. When the force applied to the cup through the handle and stem exceeds a predetermined maximum, a valve connecting the vacuum pressure to the atmosphere is opened so as to release the vacuum pressure from the cup. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204125 | SUTURE AND LIGATURE DEVICE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT - A ligature device for medical treatment has an operating device that has a ligature tool for medical treatment fitted onto a distal end portion thereof. The operating device is provided with a cutting member that is able to move freely backwards and forwards and is used to cut a ligature wire of the ligature tool for medical treatment. A distal end side of the cutting member has an inclined end portion that is inclined relative to the direction of forward and backward movement, and a blade portion is provided in this inclined end portion. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204126 | Cutting Instrument - A cutting instrument ( | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204127 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TYING SURGICAL KNOTS - A system and method for passing a suture through a tissue and tying a surgical knot. The system may comprise a suture and a first and a second arm. The first arm may comprise a needle and the second arm may comprise a tube configured to allow the needle of the first arm to pass through. One end of the suture may be wrapped around the tube and the other end of suture secured to the needle. The arms may engage. The needle and suture may pass through the tube and the portion of the suture wrapped around the tube. A knot is formed with the suture. The suture may be secured to the opposite site of the arm with the needle. The arms may disengage which may remove the needle from the tube. The knot may be tensioned by pulling on opposite ends of the suture in opposite directions. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204128 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA AND OTHER CONDITIONS - Devices, systems and methods for compressing, cutting, incising, reconfiguring, remodeling, attaching, repositioning, supporting, dislocating or altering the composition of tissues or anatomical structures to alter their positional or force relationship to other tissues or anatomical structures. In some applications, the invention may be used to used to improve patency or fluid flow through a body lumen or cavity (e.g., to limit constriction of the urethra by an enlarged prostate gland). | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204129 | Bioactive wide-weave mesh - A wide-weave mesh is disclosed which is coated with a bioactive material to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the mesh. The mesh may be used for the treatment of hernias, vaginal prolapses and other similar injuries. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204130 | Method of Performing Transgastric Ventral Hernia Repair and Tissue Anchors and Deployment Devices Therefor - A translumenal 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. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204131 | AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING BAND SYSTEM WITH MEMS PUMP - Devices and methods for forming a restriction in a patient are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a restriction system is provided including an implantable restriction device, an implantable port in fluid communication with the implantable restriction device, and an implantable pump in fluid communication with the restriction device. In general, the implantable restriction device is adjustable and configured to form a restriction in a patient, and the implantable port is configured to receive fluid from a fluid source external to the patient. The implantable pump is a micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device effective to create pumping action to move fluid through the pump. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204132 | AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTING BAND SYSTEM - Devices and methods for forming a restriction in a patient are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a restriction system is provided including an implantable restriction device, an implantable port in fluid communication with the implantable restriction device, and an implantable pump in fluid communication with the restriction device. In general, the implantable restriction device is adjustable and configured to form a restriction in a patient, and the implantable port is configured to receive fluid from a fluid source external to the patient. The implantable pump has a plurality of actuators configured to change shape upon the application of energy thereto such that sequential activation of the plurality of actuators is effective to create pumping action to move fluid through the pump. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204133 | Occluder - An occluder ( | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204134 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR REMOVING STENOTIC LESIONS FROM VESSELS - The present application provides various devices, systems, and methods for removing stenotic lesions from vessels. In at least one embodiment of an exemplary device, the device comprises at least one sizing portion and at least one treatment portion. Such a device may be useful to, for example, remove a stenotic lesion from a vessel by positioning the device within a vessel lumen, operating the sizing portion to obtain luminal size parameter data, operating the treatment portion at a location within the vessel lumen at or near a stenotic lesion, and ceasing operation of the treatment portion when the luminal size parameter data indicates a preferred luminal size parameter. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204135 | Retractable safety knife - A retractable safety knife has a hollow handle with an opening at an end thereof, a pusher that is movably disposed within the handle and is operable by a user, and a blade that is connected with an end of the pusher. When the pusher moves from a blade-retracted position to a blade-extended position, the blade extends outwardly from the handle opening and rotates from a nested position to an extended position. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204136 | Hand Tool - A hand tool includes a holder and a movable head portion to which a blade body is secured. The movable head portion is supported by the holder in a manner movable relative to the holder between an accommodated state Q, in which the movable head portion is accommodated in the holder together with the blade body, and a projected state, in which the blade body is projected from the holder. The orientation N of the blade body in the accommodated state Q and the orientation N of the blade body in the projected state are different from each other. This improves operation of the blade body both in the accommodated state Q and the projected state and reduces the size of a front opening of the holder to provide a compact holder of the hand tool such as a medical edged tool. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204137 | SAFETY SCALPEL - A scalpel enabling both safe blade engagement or disengagement and safe passing among personnel during surgical procedures. The blade arm assembly of the scalpel is positionable in three positions, including a retracted position, an operational extended position and a fully extended position for engagement and disengagement of the blade. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204138 | LANCET HAVING A GROUND TIP AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING - A lancet made of lancet wire having a ground tip. The lancet has a first ground face and a further ground face, which are located at a defined angle relative to one another, the length of the lancet being at most 16 mm. Also disclosed is a method for producing lancets for taking blood for medical-analytical purposes, which have at least one ground face that is generated in a grinding procedure. A lancet wire is positioned using a positioning device in a defined grinding position relative to a grinding element of a grinding device, and the following method steps are performed in this sequence: drawing off the lancet wire from a roll and transporting it into the positioning device; fixing or securing the lancet wire in the positioning device; grinding the free end of the lancet wire using the grinding device to generate at least one ground face; and cutting off the free end of the lancet wire in a cutting position to form a lancet having a defined length. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204139 | LANCET CASSETTE AND LANCET EJECTING DEVICE, AND LANCET ASSEMBLY COMPOSED OF THESE MEMBERS - A lancet cassette includes a lancet having a pricking member for piercing a predetermined portion and a container having a space in which the lancet moves, characterized in that the lancet cassette is capable of mounting a thin sensor element thereon, and a moving direction of the pricking member of the lancet intersects an extending plane of the sensor element in the vicinity of a leading end of the sensor element. Such cassette is used to form a lancet assembly. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204140 | Surgical trocar - A surgical trocar includes a trocar needle with a sharp tip for puncturing and passing through the skin of a patient. A hose barb disposed on a distal end of the trocar needle retains a drain tubing while they are being threaded through a skin puncture. A head formed aft of the tip of the trocar needle has a locking ridge to provide a grip. A tapered section of the trocar needle is disposed aft of the head and has its minimum diameter adjacent to the locking ridge, and its maximum diameter in the direction of the hose barb. Thus, a gradually increasing diameter of the tapered section aft of the head substantially reduces any snagging or tearing of a patient's skin around an associated skin puncture during use. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204141 | POWERING IMPLANTABLE RESTRICTION SYSTEMS USING KINETIC MOTION - Various powering devices are provided for transferring and/or generating energy from numerous sources to a communicating member implanted in a patient. The energy transferred to or generated by the communicating member can be used to provide power to an implantable restriction system configured to form a restriction in a pathway. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204142 | NASOLACRIMAL SYSTEM SURGICAL TOOL AND METHOD - A device and method for performing probing, irrigation, suction and intubation of the nasolacrimal system to treat for stenosis or obstruction includes a tubular probe ( | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204143 | Distal Protection Filter with Improved Wall Apposition - In accordance with the present invention, a distal protection and embolic material retrieval device with improved apposition to both large and small vessel walls of varying geometries for enhancing the filtering of embolic material during intravascular procedures while allowing for the passage of blood is provided. The device includes a filter basket designed to maximize apposition of the filtering portion to that of the vessel wall and may include struts which provide circumferential support to the filtering membrane and thereby minimizing or eliminating in-folding of the filter basket. Thin film materials may also be utilized for the filtering membrane of the filter basket. In addition one can incorporate biological and/or pharmaceutical agents in combination with the present invention. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204144 | DEVICE FOR THE CONTROL OF URINARY INCONTINENCE - A device for the control of urinary incontinence includes a support ( | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204145 | SPIRAL OCCLUDING DEVICE WITH AN OCCLUSION SAIL - An occluding device designed for occlusion of fluid flow through a body cavity is disclosed. The device comprises a coil having a proximal portion and a distal portion extending longitudinally from the proximal portion. The coil has an initial tension along the distal and proximal portions and is configured have a general helical shape in an expanded state. The device further comprises a first set of fibers attached to the coil and extending therefrom for occlusion of the body cavity. The device further comprises a second set of fibers attached to the coil at a plurality of areas longitudinally along the coil, defining an occlusion sail disposed longitudinally along the coil at the plurality of areas therealong. The second set of fibers is configured have the general helical shape when the coil is in the expanded state for enhanced occlusion of the body cavity. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204146 | Method for Soft Tissue Attachment - An apparatus and method for fixing a selected graft relative to a selected anatomical portion. An anchor may be provided that may be interconnected with a selected graft portion that is operable to pass through a selected bore and then moved into an operable position to engage a selected portion of the bore to substantially eliminate the possibility of the graft moving in an unselected direction through the bore. In addition, a spacer member may be used to expand a selected portion of the graft to reduce localized stress and may increase ingrowth into a selected bony portion. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204147 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DELIVERING ACHORING DEVICES INTO BODY PASSAGE WALLS - Described, in certain embodiments, are methods and apparatuses for delivering anchoring devices such as T-anchors into body passage walls. Some inventive methods involve inserting one or more anchoring devices into a wall of an organ in a direction from a luminal surface to an abluminal surface of the wall. In some instances, inserting a device in this manner, while providing at least part of the device implanted between the luminal surface and the abluminal surface of the wall, is conducted without the device exiting the wall's abluminal surface. In these and other inventive methods, delivering an anchoring device into a body passage wall may involve manipulating the wall in some manner before, during and/or after placing the device in the wall. Various forms of manipulation are described in this regard. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204148 | Adjustable Vertebral Body Elevator - An adjustable vertebral body elevator is disclosed and can include a handle and a spoon rotatably coupled to the handle by a locking assembly. The handle can rotate with respect to the spoon around an axis or rotation. Further, the locking assembly can be coaxial with the axis of rotation. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204149 | INTERLAMINAR HOOK - A medical apparatus for alleviating the symptoms associated with spinal stenosis have a body including first and second supports disposed along the length of the body. The first support is configured to accommodate at least a portion of a vertebral component of a first vertebra disposed above or below a second vertebra. The second support is configured to accommodate at least a portion of a vertebral component of the second vertebra. The distance between the supports is sufficient to increase the space between the first vertebra and the second vertebra. Methods for using the apparatus include implanting the apparatus into a subject. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204150 | Interlaminar Stabilization System - A spinal stabilization system includes vertebral engagement members and an intermediate structure. The vertebral engagement members are configured to be disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra. The vertebral engagement members generally include seating surfaces for accommodating at least a portion of a laminar region of adjacent vertebra and are adjustable between an operable and inoperable configuration. The intermediate structure extends between the vertebral engagement members. The structural cooperation of the vertebral engagement members and the intermediate structure is such that the engagement members distract the adjacent vertebrae. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204151 | Spinal implant device, procedure and system - A spinal implant procedure and system includes vertical rods fastened to the spine on opposite sides. A cross connector is arranged on each vertical rod and to opposite ends of a cross member. The cross member includes a block having a lateral opening and that includes a forked end that is arranged at a bottom side of a spineous process. A strap fastener include openings through which the cross member passes. An opening of the strap fastener hooks on a catch on the side of the block. The block limits prevents rotation, blocks extension and limits flexion of the affected vertebrae. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204152 | VERTEBRAL FACET JOINT PROSTHESIS AND METHOD OF FIXATION - Devices and methods for altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column are provided. One embodiment of the invention comprises a prosthesis with surfaces configured to articulate with the facets of the facet joint. A retaining member for anchoring the prosthesis within the facet joint is optionally included. Methods for surgically and less invasively implanting the prosthesis and securing the prosthesis to the articular processes or surrounding soft tissue are also provided. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204153 | ROD CONNECTOR - A rod connector for connecting, to each other, opposed ends of a plurality of rods held by a rod holding tool which is fixed to a vertebra, wherein a cylindrically formed connector body is previously curved or bent according to a curve of the vertebral column constructed by the vertebra, both ends of the connector body are provided with a rod insertion hole, rod insertion openings into which the rods are inserted are formed in both end surfaces of the connector body, and the connector body includes screw holes through which fixing screws are threadedly inserted for fixing the rods inserted into the rod insertion hole. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204154 | EXPANDABLE ROD SYSTEM TO TREAT SCOLIOSIS AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - Correction of a scoliotic curve in a spine comprises the steps of implanting an expanding rod isolated completely under the skin and attached to selected portions of the scoliotic curve of the spine at opposing ends of the rod; and producing a controlled force by means of expansion of the rod over at an extended time period under external control until a desire spinal curve is obtained. An incremental force is generated to stretch the scoliotic curve of the spine between the selected portions where attachment of the rod is defined. The controlled force is provided steadily for at least one month or alternatively 1-3 months. Multiple rods may be employed each associated with a different scoliotic curve of the spine or a different portion of the scoliotic curve. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204155 | POLYAXIAL BONE ANCHOR WITH HEADLESS PEDICLE SCREW - A polyaxial bone anchor has a headless anchor member (e.g., a screw, hook, or other structure for attaching to bone) that allows the size of the bone anchor to be small. A locking element securely snap-fits over the headless anchor member such that inadvertent separation from the anchor member is unlikely. When the anchor member is attached to the locking element and the locking element is seated within the anchor head of the bone anchor, the headless anchoring member can polyaxially rotate about a central axis of the bone anchor before being locked in place. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204156 | AUTOMATIC LENGTHENING BONE FIXATION DEVICE - A bone fixation device adapted to be coupled to bone anchors that allows movement of rods to permit a screw-rod construct to lengthen in response to bone growth without necessitating post surgical installation adjustment of the device. The bone fixation device includes a locking mechanism that is operably associated with a housing to allow relative movement of a rod and a housing in a first direction and inhibiting relative movement of the rod and the housing in a second direction. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204157 | Locking Bone Plates with Controlled Locking Screw Misalignment - A bone plate system for fixing bone fractures includes a locking bone plate and a conically-shaped drilling sleeve. The bone plate has at least one threaded hole, and with the drilling sleeve screwed into the bone plate hole, a drill bit guided through the sleeve drills a hole into bone having a central axis angularly misaligned with the central axis of the bone plate hole. The angle between the drilled hole's central axis and the bone plate hole's central axis is equal to or less than the tolerance angle of the threads of the bone plate hole. This allows a bone plate screw to be imperfectly seated with respect to the bone plate hole and still screwed into the hole to lock the plate without jamming the screw head into the plate hole, while still allowing the screw to be screwed out if needed. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204158 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DELIVERING MEDICINE TO BONE - Bone screws and inserts disposed therein or thereon are provided for the delivery of medicants to bone. The bone screws provide a method to strengthen or repair damaged bones, or to promote bony fusion, and in conjunction with the inserts, provide a method of delivering a continuous or regulated amount of medicant to a desired location within the bone such as a fracture interface. In one embodiment, the inserts are customized in size, shape, or configuration after the bone screw has been inserted into the patient. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204159 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR DEFORMITY CORRECTION - An adapter including a coupling portion defining a lumen to receive a pedicle post, an intermediate portion including a first end fixedly attached to a side of the coupling portion and including a second end distal from the coupling portion, and a bolt. A proximal end of the bolt is rotatably coupled to the second end of the intermediate portion and a distal end of the bolt includes a connector. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204160 | PULSE GENERATOR HAVING AN EFFICIENT FRACTIONAL VOLTAGE CONVERTER AND METHOD OF USE - Disclosed are systems and methods which provide voltage conversion in increments less than integer multiples of a power supply (e.g., battery) voltage. A representative embodiment provides power supply voltage multipliers in a binary ladder distribution to provide a desired number of output voltage steps using a relatively uncomplicated circuit design. By using different sources in various combinations and/or by “stacking” different sources in various ways, the voltage multiplier circuit may be used to provide desired voltages. In order to minimize the number of components used in a voltage converter of an embodiment, a capacitive voltage converter circuit uses one or more storage capacitors in place of pump capacitors in a voltage generation cycle. Also, certain embodiments do not operate to generate an output voltage until the time that voltage is needed. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204161 | EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR HAVING AN AUTOMATIC OPERATION OVERRIDE - A defibrillator and method for delivering defibrillation energy to a patient are described. A patient ECG is analyzed and defibrillation energy is delivered to the patient in response to receiving manual input. The patient ECG is further analyzed while waiting for the manual input and the defibrillation energy is delivered to the patient after a time delay if the manual input is not received. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204162 | SIGNAL ANALYSIS - A method of analysis of medical signals is presented which provides useful clinical information concerning the state of the myocardium during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The analysis during CPR can be used to (i) identify the underlying rhythm, (ii) provide a measure of the efficacy of CPR, and (iii) to predict the outcome from a defibrillation shock. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204163 | METHODS OF MONITORING HEMODYNAMIC STATUS FOR RHYTHM DISCRIMINATION WITHIN THE HEART - Systems and methods of performing rhythm discrimination within a patient's body using sensed hemodynamic signals are disclosed. The method can include the steps of receiving an electrical activity signal from an electrode located within or near the heart, detecting an event of the heart based on the received electrical activity signal, sensing one or more mechanical measurements using a sensor located within the body, analyzing a mechanical activity signal received from the sensor, and confirming the type of event based on the mechanical and electrical activity signals. The sensor can comprise a single pressure sensor configured to sense both atrial and ventricular activity within the heart. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204164 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LOW-ENERGY TERMINATION OF ATRIAL TACHYARRHYTHMIAS - Methods for treating atrial arrhythmias can involve configuring an implantable arrhythmia treatment device. A device can be configured after implantation when the patient is fully conscious and after any pain suppression medication has worn off. The device is caused to apply a phased unpinning far field therapy to the patient in response to detection of an arrhythmia via a far field configuration of electrodes. An indication of a pain sensation of the patient and the effectiveness of the treatment in response to the therapy can then be received. In response, at least one of a set of therapy parameters is adjusted and the steps are repeated until it is determined that an effective treatment is provide at a pain sensation that is tolerable to the patient. The device is then programmed to automatically treat arrhythmias detected in the patient with the determined set of therapy parameters. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204165 | Rest phase heart pacing - A computer method, employable during an at-rest period of a pacemaker patient, for controlling the operation of the pacemaker so as maximally to support the patient's hemodynamic behavior in a context involving inhibiting fluid overload. The method involves (a) collecting simultaneously occurring ECG and heart-sound information, (b) processing the collected information to obtain at least S3 data, and in certain instances also EMAT and/or % LVST data, (c) utilizing such obtained data, and during the at-rest period, applying (a) pacing rate, (b) pacing intensity, (c) atrio-ventricular delay, and (d) inter-ventricular delay control to the pacemaker. Processing involves (a) calculating from the obtained data an actual, real-time, acoustic cardiographic therapy (AC) value which is to be employed in relation to controlling pacemaker activity, and (b) comparing the actual AC value to a pre-established, related, rest-period-associated, reference AC value to detect differences therebetween, with the utilizing and applying steps being implemented so as to minimize such differences. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204166 | IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC STIMULATION DEVICE WITH RESPIRATORY MODULATED THERAPY DELIVERY - A method of providing cardiac stimulation therapy and a device for providing the therapy. A patient's cardiac activity as well as cyclical respiration is monitored. Cardiac stimulation is provided as indicated as therapeutic intervention for a variety of cardiac arrhythmias according to variable timing parameters. One or more of the timing parameters under which cardiac pacing stimulations are provided is varied or modulated with the cyclical variations in respiration. The one or more timing parameters are generally shortened or elongated in concert with the alternating inspiration/exhalation phases of respiration. In certain implementations, the patient's respiration is inferred from cardiac based physiologic signals. The methods and devices for providing cardiac stimulation therapy more accurately emulate natural healthy physiologic activity. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204167 | Assessment of ischemia, and risk of sudden cardiac death, VIA heart-functionality parameter and acoustic cardiographic monitoring - A method for assessing, and applying therapy in relation to, degree of ischemia and risk for sudden cardiac death in a therapy-device-equipped subject utilizing a Holter-type instrumentality, including (a) gathering simultaneous ECG and heart-sound data, (b) computer processing and interrelating the gathered data to obtain one or more heart-functionality parameter(s), such as LDPT, and (c) using the obtained parameter(s), adjusting, as necessary, the therapy device in a manner designed to minimize and counteract the likelihood of the onset or advancement of ischemia, and/or the onset of sudden cardiac death. Computer processing involves (1) calculating a real-time, acoustic cardiographic therapy (AC) value based on the obtained heart-functionality parameter(s), (2) comparing that calculated AC value to a pre-established, reference AC value to detect differences therebetween, and (3) performing therapy-device adjustment, as necessary so as to minimize such differences. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204168 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE BUS SYSTEM AND METHOD - A bus system is provided for implantable medical devices. The bus system provides for flexible and reliable communication between subsystems in an implantable medical device. The bus system facilitates a wide variety of communications between various subsystems. These various subsystems can include one or more sensing devices, processors, data storage devices, patient alert devices, power management devices, signal processing and other devices implemented to perform a variety of different functions. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204169 | IMPLANTABLE HEART STIMULATING DEVICE AND METHOD - In an implantable heart stimulating device and a method of the operation thereof, device has a control circuit that detects an evoked responses to delivered pacing pulses and to carry out an automatic capture routine. The control circuit is arranged to automatically temporarily disable the automatic capture routine on the basis of at least one of the following criteria:
| 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204170 | WIRELESS TISSUE ELECTROSTIMULATION - A wireless electrostimulation system can comprise a wireless energy transmission source, and an implantable cardiovascular wireless electrostimulation node. A receiver circuit comprising an inductive antenna can be configured to capture magnetic energy to generate a tissue electrostimulation. A tissue electrostimulation circuit, coupled to the receiver circuit, can be configured to deliver energy captured by the receiver circuit as a tissue electrostimulation waveform. Delivery of tissue electrostimulation can be initiated by a therapy control unit. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204171 | MRI SHIELDING IN ELECTRODES USING AC PACING - A medical device includes a pulse generator, an electrode configured to contact tissue in a coronary vessel, a lead comprising a lead conductor, the lead conductor connecting the pulse generator with the electrode, and a filter circuit electrically connected in series between the lead conductor and the electrode. The filter circuit may include a band pass filter that attenuates signals having a frequency other than a natural resonance frequency (e.g. MRI device signals), and the pulse generator may transmit therapy signals to the electrode as a sinusoidal voltage wave at the natural resonance frequency. The filter circuit may include a diode that rectifies the sinusoidal voltage wave before the rectified sinusoidal voltage wave passes to the electrode. In some embodiments, therapy signals may be provided to the electrode through the band pass filter over a natural resonance frequency range. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204172 | Feedthrough assembly including sleeve - A feedthrough assembly is disposable in an aperture of, for example, a power source encasement. In various examples, the feedthrough assembly comprises a ferrule, an insulator, a terminal conductor, and a sleeve. A portion of the terminal conductor extends through the ferrule thereby creating a portion internal to and a portion external to the encasement. The insulator is disposed within the ferrule and is sealably engaged with the terminal conductor portion extending through the ferrule. The sleeve is disposed over the internal portion of the terminal conductor and coupled thereto. In one example, the sleeve includes at least one notch on a sleeve first end or a sleeve second end, which may be used to weld or solder the sleeve to the terminal conductor. In another example, the sleeve includes a longitudinally extending void, which may be used to crimp the sleeve to the terminal conductor. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204173 | Multi-Frequency Neural Treatments and Associated Systems and Methods - Multi-frequency neural treatments and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes at least reducing patient pain by applying a first electrical signal to a first target location of the patient's spinal cord region at a frequency in a first frequency range of up to about 1,500 Hz, and applying a second electrical signal to a second target location of the patient's spinal cord region at a frequency in a second frequency range of from about 2,500 Hz to about 100,000 Hz. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204174 | Low Power Loss Current Digital-to-Analog Converter Used in an Implantable Pulse Generator - In one embodiment, the present invention provides an implantable stimulation device that includes output current sources and/or sinks configured to provide an output current for a load (i.e., tissue). The output path of the output current source or sink comprises a transistor which operates in a linear mode instead of a saturation mode. Because operation in a linear mode results in smaller drain-to-source voltage drops, power consumption in the output current source or sink (and hence in the implantable stimulator) is reduced, reducing battery or other power source requirements. Operation in the linear mode is facilitated in useful embodiments by a load in an input path (into which a reference current is sent) and a load in the output path (which bears the output current). The loads can be active transistors or passive resistors. A feedback circuit (e.g., an operational amplifier) receives voltages that build up across these loads, and sends a control signal to the gate of the transistor to ensure its linear operation. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204175 | ELECTROSTIMULATING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An electrostimulating apparatus comprises a generating arrangement for generating electric pulses organised in sequences having preset values of typical parameters, the typical parameters comprising amplitude, width and frequency of the pulses, a plurality of stimulation channels such as to dispense the sequences to body zones of an organism in an independent manner, a varying arrangement suitable for varying at least one of the typical parameters in such a way as to substantially prevent the organism from habituating to the electric pulses; a method for electrostimulating an organism comprises: producing a sequence of electric pulses having a relaxing effect and a further sequence of electric pulses having a vasoactive effect; dispensing the sequence to body zones of the organism, and further dispensing the further sequence to further body zones of the organism, the body zones and the further body zones comprising agonist muscles and antagonist muscles of a neuromuscular compartment comprised in the organism. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204176 | System and Methods for Performing Percutaneous Pedicle Integrity Assessments - The present invention involves systems and related methods for performing percutaneous pedicle integrity assessments involving the use of neurophysiology. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204177 | MAINTAINING LOW IMPEDANCE OF ELECTRODES - An implantable tissue-stimulating device for an implantee comprising: an elongate member, and at least one electrode disposed on the elongate member, wherein at least a portion of the device is coated, prior to implantation in the implantee, with a coating configured to at least partially inhibit adhesion of body tissue to the device following implantation, and wherein the coating is removable, after implantation, by an electrochemical cleaning process during which potential of one or more of the at least one electrode is increased and then decreased. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204178 | POWERING IMPLANTABLE RESTRICTION SYSTEMS USING LIGHT - Various powering devices are provided for transferring and/or generating energy from numerous sources to a communicating member implanted in a patient. The energy transferred to or generated by the communicating member can be used to provide power to an implantable restriction system configured to form a restriction in a pathway. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204179 | POWERING IMPLANTABLE RESTRICTION SYSTEMS USING TEMPERATURE - Various powering devices are provided for transferring and/or generating energy from numerous sources to a communicating member implanted in a patient. The energy transferred to or generated by the communicating member can be used to provide power to an implantable restriction system configured to form a restriction in a pathway. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204180 | System for implanting a microstimulator - A system for implanting a microstimulator uses an insulated electrical conductor connected to an electrical stimulator and fed through a metal hypodermic needle to locate the best position for stimulation, followed by the insertion of a metal encased micro stimulator. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204181 | CAPSULE TYPE MEDICAL DEVICE SYSTEM, AND CAPSULE TYPE MEDICAL DEVICE - A capsule type medical device, including: a capsule shaped casing which can be ingested to within the living body; an electrical stimulation device which comprises a plurality of electrodes which are used for applying electrical stimuli to living body tissue; an electrode selection device which selects an electrode from among the plurality of electrodes, to apply an electrical stimulus; a contact detection device which electrically detects the electrode which is in contact with the living body tissue; and a control section which controls the various devices. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204182 | MAGNETIC CORE FLUX CANCELING OF FERRITES IN MRI - A magnetic core flux canceling device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a magnetic field sensor adapted for placement at a ferrite material core in an implantable medical device, the magnetic field sensor adapted to transmit a signal corresponding to a magnitude of a first magnetic field. Such a device may also include a coil disposed around the ferrite material core and a driver circuit configured to receive the signal and to vary a voltage applied across the coil based on the signal, the voltage applied across the coil creating a second magnetic field at least partially in a direction opposite the first magnetic field. According to some embodiments of the present invention, multiple coils may be used to cancel magnetic fields in multiple directions. A voltage applied across the coil varies in magnitude and/or direction to cancel or weaken an MRI-related magnetic field. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204183 | MEDICAL CARRIERS COMPRISING A LOW-IMPEDANCE CONDUCTOR, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - Medical carriers that include a low-impedance conductor are provided. The low-impedance conductors are configured to provide electrical conductivity along a length of the medical carrier. An aspect of the low-impedance conductors is the presence of a longitudinally extended region configured as a non-coiled repetitive pattern that imparts fatigue resistance to the longitudinally extended region. Also provided are systems and methods of making the medical carriers, as well as methods of using the medical carriers. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204184 | Light enhanced acupuncture - An acupuncture system which gathers light from the night's sky and focuses the gathered light onto an acupuncture meridian of a patient to obtain acupuncture affects. In one embodiment of the invention, the focused light is communicated through a fiber optic cable to a hand-held wand which emits the light onto the proper acupuncture site; in another embodiment, a light needle is used to emit the light into the patient at the acupuncture site. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204185 | PHOTOTHEREAPY DEVICE - The present invention relates to a phototherapy device ( | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204186 | RETINAL MELATONIN SUPPRESSOR COMPRISING A FILTER LAYER - This disclosure relates to the application of a photoluminescent material with a plurality of nanocrystals, such as quantum dots or Cornell dots, each capable of absorbing electromagnetic energy at a first wavelength and emitting the absorbed energy as a desired wavelength in the direction of a human retina. Preferably, the emitted wavelength is chosen for its ability to suppress naturally occurring melatonin, i.e., blue light. The disclosure also contemplates the placement of the photoluminescent material over the entire surface of a lens or on a portion of the lens to optimize the exposure to the desired wavelength while reducing the overall luminescence. Finally, the photoluminescent material can be applied as a coating, as part of a material applied to the lens, either superficially or in/within the lens, as part of eyewear, or even as an optical treatment system. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204187 | SOIL-BASED COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR REMOVAL OF TOXINS FROM MAMMALS - Humans and other mammals are continually exposed to toxins in the environment, toxins in ingested food and water, and toxins formed in the body through metabolism or breakdown of complex material. Such toxins impair health and contribute to disease in mammals but are difficult to avoid given the conditions of modern life. The present invention provides compositions for promoting removal of toxins from a subject which include an alkalizing agent, spore-forming bacteria, clay, at least one type of humic acid and/or at least one type of fulvic acid. Methods for use of compositions for promoting removal of toxins from a subject are described. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204188 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE COMBINED APPLICATION OF LIGHT THERAPY, OPTIC DIAGNOSIS, AND FLUID TO TISSUE - In one embodiment there is provided a system for light therapy. The system includes a light guide transmission device having at least one UV bulb for dispersing UV light a light guide cable to a light guide terminating end, an optical capturing device operable to receive an image from a lens positioned at an optical cable terminating end, and a fluid delivery/suction device along a flexible hose. Each of the cables being inserted into a probe cable having a tip adapted for use internally or externally with a patient. Further the system includes a single controller in communication with and for controlling the functionality of the light guide transmission device, the optical capturing device, and the fluid delivery/suction device. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204189 | Living-Tissue Normalization Method - A living-tissue normalization method and therapeutic device. The method includes intermittently flowing a slight direct current through a living body or living tissue at predetermined regular intervals to thereby activate a normalization mechanism of said living body or living tissue through the intermediary of protein. The therapeutic device includes a resistance provided between a pair of electrodes and current control arranged so that electrically conductive layers of a pair of pad elements are intermittently supplied with a slight direct current at predetermined regular intervals, and so that the pair of electrodes are supplied with a direct current. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204190 | Stanan Kozy Pak Ice Holder - The stanan Kozy Pak Holder is a new way to apply ice to areas of the body to prevent bruising and selling due to surgery or injury. The major benefits are the stanan Kozy Pak Holder is that it is more comfortable to use and maintains the coldness required to reduce bruising and swelling longer then any ice pack on the market. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204191 | Bipolar Stimulation/Recording Device With Widely Spaced Electrodes - A bipolar stimulator probe suitable for application of intramuscular stimulation provides an active stimulator electrode and a reference electrode as part of a single tool. The separation between the electrodes is significantly greater than the electrode separation of known bipolar stimulator probes and bipolar bar electrode configurations. The probe tool may be configured to permit adjustment of the fixed relative position of the electrodes within a given range. By providing a relatively wide spacing between the two electrodes, the tool can be used to approximate the effect of monopolar stimulation with a separate reference electrode, with the electrical stimulus producing less pain to the patient compared to bipolar stimulation where the two electrodes are spaced apart by only 2-4 cm or less. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204192 | DIRECTIONAL ELECTRODE DEVICES WITH LOCATING FEATURES - Electrode devices having directional electrodes for use in deep brain stimulation or other uses. In one aspect, an electrode assembly comprises an elongate lead and a lead guide that are engageable with each other in a coaxial relationship. When the elongate lead and the lead guide are engaged with each other, the two components are rotationally fixed in relation to each other. In another aspect, an elongate lead comprises a radiologically-visible feature for indicating the orientation of the elongate lead. In yet another aspect, an electrode system is capable of determining the position and/or orientation of an electrode positioned within a body. In other aspects, methods for electrically stimulating a target site in the body are disclosed. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204193 | DIRECTIONAL LEAD ASSEMBLY - Leads having directional electrodes thereon. Also provided are leads having directional electrodes as well as anchoring prongs to secure the electrodes to the leads. Also provided are leads with directional electrodes where all the electrodes have the same surface area. Methods of treating conditions and selectively stimulating regions of the brain such as the thalamus and cerebellum are also provided. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204194 | MEDICAL SYSTEM INCLUDING A NOVEL BIPOLAR PACING PAIR - A medical system includes a first low voltage electrode adapted for intimate contact with tissue at an implant site, in order to provide pacing stimulation in conjunction with a second low voltage electrode. A porous layer is formed over the second electrode; the porous layer allows conduction therethrough while preventing contact between the second electrode and tissue in proximity to the implant site. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204195 | Multi-Element Probe Array - A multi-element probe array suitable for sensing or stimulating is disclosed. In one embodiment, the multi-element probe array includes a plurality of microfibers extending longitudinally and oriented substantially parallel to form a bundle. Probe elements are defined by a first subset of the microfibers displaced in a forward direction along the longitudinal axis relative to spacer elements defined by a second subset of the microfibers. Interface elements and communication elements are disposed on the probe elements. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204196 | SELF-EXPANDABLE STENT WITH A CONSTRICTIVE COATING AND METHOD OF USE - The present invention provides a system and method for providing a coating on a self-expandable medical device, such as a stent, while avoiding the issues relating to coating damage from the delivery sheath during loading and deployment. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a constrictive coating that acts as a constrictive sheath for the stent. A cutting mechanism is mounted on the end of the delivery tube such that when the stent with the constrictive coating exits the delivery tube, the constrictive coating is cut. This releases the constriction retaining the sheath, and the stent self-expands, pressing the cut portions of the coating against the lumen wall. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204197 | Catheter Device - A catheter device having a shaft that extends from a proximal end to a distal end to carry on its distal end a self-expanding implant for intraluminal advance on a guidewire and delivery of the implant to an implant site by proximal withdrawal of a longitudinal sheath that lies radially outside the implant in the catheter, the catheter including a first shaft element to pull the sheath proximally and a second shaft element to push the implant distally to prevent the implant moving proximally with the sheath when the sheath is pulled proximally, wherein the sheath is freely rotatable with respect to the first shaft element during the said intraluminal advance and, during proximal movement, is caused to abut the first shaft element at an abutment position by a reduced inner diameter portion of the sheath proximal of the abutment position. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204198 | Introducer for endovascular grafts and stents - An introducer assembly for introducing a stent-graft ( | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204199 | Apparatus for and method of fitting a stent-graft or similar device - A fitting device ( | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204200 | Highly Flexible Stent and Method of Manufacture - Preferred embodiments of a stent with a high degree of flexibility are shown and described. The stent can include a continuous helical winding and at least one bridge. The continuous helical winding has a plurality of circumferential sections that circumscribe a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end to define a tube. The circumferential sections are spaced apart along the axis. The at least one bridge is configured to connect one circumferential section to an axially-spaced adjacent circumferential section. The at least one bridge extends on a plane generally orthogonal with respect to the axis. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204201 | BEND-CAPABLE STENT PROSTHESIS - Normally, when stents are bent, inside the body of the stented patient, there is head-to-head collision between facing V-points on the inside of the bend. However, by alternating between two whole numbers the number of struts between successive connectors around the circumference of each of the stenting rings, the V-points are caused to veer circumferentially in opposite directions as they approach each other on the inside of the bend, so allowing them to pass by each other without collision, thereby allowing in the same stent both close packing of the ring stack, and an enhanced ability to tolerate severe bending, after placement in the body. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204202 | STENT DESIGNS FOR USE WITH ONE OR MORE TRIGGER WIRES - The present embodiments provide a stent for use in a medical procedure that comprises a series of proximal apices disposed at a proximal end of the stent and a series of distal apices disposed at a distal end of the stent. A trigger wire is adapted to be coupled to at least one of the proximal apices to restrain a proximal end of the stent during delivery. In a first embodiment, a first proximal apex comprises a bore for receiving the trigger wire, and a second proximal apex, disposed adjacent to the first proximal apex, comprises at least one barb. The trigger wire therefore is only coupled to selected ones of the proximal apices. In an alternative embodiment, a first proximal apex comprises a first bore and a second, adjacent proximal apex comprises a second bore, such that a single trigger wire may be disposed through the first and second bores to restrain the first and second proximal apices during delivery. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204203 | Bioabsorbable Stent Having a Radiopaque Marker - A bioabsorbable stent includes one or more radiopaque markers. The stent body may include a generally cylindrical body portion and a marker support for receiving the one or more marker(s). The marker support may be connected to an end of the body portion, or may be an integral portion of the body portion. By selectively controlling dissolution of the biodegradable material of the marker support, the marker support will remain intact for a sufficient time to allow for the marker to endothelialize and therefore prevent the marker from dislodging and embolizing. The controlled dissolution may be accomplished via one or more of the following mechanisms, including increasing the cross-sectional thickness of the marker support, passivating or oxidizing the marker support, utilizing a different, slower absorbing material for the marker support, utilizing a bioabsorbable polymeric coating on the marker support, or protecting the marker support with a sacrificial anode. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204204 | Drug/Drug Deliver Systems For The Prevention And Treatment Of Vascular Disease - A drug and drug delivery system may be utilized in the treatment of vascular disease. A local delivery system is coated with rapamycin or other suitable drug, agent or compound and delivered intraluminally for the treatment and prevention of neointimal hyperplasia following percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography. The local delivery of the drugs or agents provides for increased effectiveness and lower systemic toxicity. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204205 | Platinum-cobalt-boron blood pump element - A magnetic impeller for a blood pump such as a magnetically driven, rotary ventricular assist device for pumping blood of a patient, the impeller comprising a magnetic alloy including platinum, cobalt, and boron. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204206 | DEVICE FOR RAPID CONNECTION BETWEEN A TOTALLY IMPLANTABLE HEART PROSTHESIS AND NATURAL AURICLES - Device for rapid connection between a totally implantable heart prosthesis and natural articles. According to the invention, said prosthesis comprises: fastening means ( | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204207 | Advanced Electro-Active Optic Device - Optical devices having a dynamic aperture and/or an apodization mask are provided. The aperture and/or mask may be provided by one or more electro-active elements, and may be used in an ophthalmic device that that is spaced apart from but in optical communication with an intraocular lens, a corneal inlay, a corneal onlay, or a spectacle lens that provide an optical power. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204208 | Contrast-Enhancing Aspheric Intraocular Lens - The present invention provides an intraocular lens (IOL) having an optic with a posterior and an anterior refractive surfaces, at least one of which has an aspherical profile, typically characterized by a non-zero conic constant, for controlling the aberrations of a patient's eye in which the IOL is implanted. Preferably, the IOL's asphericity, together with the aberrations of the patient's eye, cooperate to provide an image contrast characterized by a calculated modulation transfer function (MTF) of at least about 0.25 and a depth of field of at least about 0.75 Diopters. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204209 | Accommodative Intraocular Lens System - A two-optic accommodative lens system. The first lens has a negative power and is located posteriorly within the capsular bag and lying against the posterior capsule. The periphery of the first lens is attached to a ring-like structure having sloping sides. The second lens is located anteriorly to the first lens within of the capsular bag and is of a positive power. The peripheral edge of the second lens contains a plurality of haptics that project posteriorly from the second lens and toward the first lens. The haptics are relatively firm, yet still flexible and ride within the sloping sides of the ring-like structure, so that flattening or steepening of the capsule in reaction to movement of the ciliary muscle and corresponding shrinkage of the capsular bag causes the second lens to move along the optical axis of the lens system. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204210 | Accommodative Intraocular Lens - An intraocular lens (IOL) comprising an apparatus capable of changing power in response to ciliary body movement. An IOL is provided that comprises a first optical power element, and a second optical power element. The second optical power element is mechanically coupled to the first optical power element, and at least one of the first optical power element and the second optical power element is mechanically coupled to at least one magnet, such that a magnetic field applied to the at least one magnet causes the first optical element and the second optical element to displace relative to one another. The optical power elements may be surfaces or lens, the magnetic medium may be liquid, gel or solid. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204211 | Accommodative IOL with Dynamic Spherical Aberration - The present invention is generally directed to accommodative intraocular lenses (IOLs) that exhibit a dynamic spherical aberration as a function of accommodative power. By way of example, in one aspect, the present invention provides an intraocular lens (IOL) having an anterior optical element, a posterior optical element, and a mechanism for coupling the anterior and posterior elements so as to allow axial movement of those elements relative to one another for providing accommodation when the lens is implanted in a patient's eye. Each of the anterior and the posterior elements includes at least one aspherical surface, where the asphericities of the surfaces are adapted to provide a combined spherical aberration that varies with accommodation. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204212 | Logarithmic Light Intensifier for use with Photoreceptor-Based Implanted Retinal Prosthetics and those Prosthetics - This invention is for directly modulating a beam of photons onto the retinas of patients who have extreme vision impairment or blindness. Its purpose is to supply enough imaging energy to retinal prosthetics implanted in the eye which operate essentially by having light (external to the eye) activating photoreceptors, or photoelectrical material. The invention provides sufficient light amplification and does it logarithmically. While it has sufficient output light power, the output light level still remains at a safe level. Most preferred embodiments of this invention provide balanced biphasic stimulation with no net charge injection into the eye. Both optical and electronic magnification for the image, as for example, using an optical zoom lens, is incorporated. Otherwise, it would not be feasible to zoom in on items of particular interest or necessity. Without proper adjustment, improper threshold amplitudes would obtain, as well as uncomfortable maximum thresholds. Therefore, to adjust for these, a way of proper adjustment for the threshold amplitudes and maximum comfortable thresholds is provided. Furthermore, to the extent that the individual stimulation sites in the retina give different color perceptions, upon stimulation, then colors of the viewed scene is correlated with specific stimulation sites to provide a certain amount of color vision. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204213 | METALLIC IMPLANTS - Disclosed is a method of preparing a medical implant. The biocompatible metal surface of the implant is subjected to electrochemical etching in an electrolyte solution to which a current has been applied. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204214 | CAGE - A cage interposed between a pair of vertebral bodies, wherein both left and right side surfaces of a cage body are formed in a smooth surface, both upper and lower surfaces of the cage body are provided with a large number of projections arranged in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction, tip end surfaces of the large number of projections substantially match with a virtual arc curved surface formed around an axis in the longitudinal direction, and angles of inner end edges of the projections close to left and right side surfaces are more acute. A longitudinal through hole is formed in the cage body in its longitudinal direction so as to penetrate the cage body, and both left and right side surfaces and both upper and lower surfaces of the cage body are provided with communication holes which are in communication with the longitudinal through hole. The communication holes are circular holes having a common diameter. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204215 | EXPANDABLE VERTEBRAL DEVICE WITH CAM LOCK - An expandable cage supports adjacent vertebra in spine surgery. The expandable cage includes a first supporting member configured to engage tissue and a second supporting member operatively associated with the first supporting member. The first and second supporting members are movable relative to each other. The expandable cage further includes a cam lock mechanism configured to maintain the first and second supporting members in a fixed relative position. In another embodiment, the expandable cage includes a ring plate lock mechanism in lieu of the cam lock mechanism. The ring plate lock mechanism is adapted to maintain the first and second supporting members in a fixed relative position. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204216 | IMPLANT FOR STABILIZING VERTEBRAE OR BONES - An implant for use in stabilizing vertebral bodies or bones includes a first end and a second end, a tubular section between the first end and the second end having a longitudinal axis. The tubular section is flexible in such a way that it is expandable in a radial direction when a force acts in an axial direction which reduces the distance between the first end and the second end. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204217 | IMPLANT COMPRISING A TWO-PIECE JOINT - An implant, in particular an intervertebral implant, comprising (A) two articulating parts ( | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204218 | DISTRACTABLE SPINAL IMPLANT ASSEMBLY - A spinal implant assembly includes a housing for containing a bearing member therein and seating within an intervertebral space and a bearing member disposed within the housing for enabling disc-like movement between vertebrae defining the intervertebral space. The combination of the housing and bearing member provide a distracting mechanism disposed within the housing halves | 08-13-2009 |
