42nd week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 51 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20080255546 | Eye Accommodation Recovery - A method for eye accommodation recovery comprises transscleral pulse infrared laser radiation treating ciliary muscle and using the visible light for fixing sight direction, wherein in one alternative of the method color of light used for fixing the sight direction and treating eye retina is altered, hence, controlling the state of the accommodation apparatus of the eye, and pulse infrared laser radiation intensity treating ciliary muscle is changed simultaneously. Another alternative of the method comprises dispersion of visible light in the vicinity of the eye pupil providing dispersed light effect on a greater area of eye retina. Color of visible light is altered simultaneously, hence, controlling the state of the accommodation apparatus of the eye. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255547 | Uv Lamp for Treatment of the Skin - UV lamp for treatment of the skin, which lamp has a radiation capacity substantially entirely in the UV spectrum and in the red-light spectrum, wherein the radiation capacity of the lamp in the red light spectrum between 600 nm and 700 nm is at least 3% of the radiation capacity in the UV spectrum. In a first embodiment the lamp is a UV fluorescent lamp, having a first UV emitting phosphor and a second red light emitting phosphor, wherein the red light emitting phosphor is CeGdMgB | 2008-10-16 |
20080255548 | Hair Shortening Device - The invention relates to a hair-shortening device. The device is based on the principle of laser-induced optical breakdown, wherein a laser pulse causes mechanical effects in tissue, which are used to cut the hair ( | 2008-10-16 |
20080255549 | PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY DEVICE - The invention described herein is an apparatus for performing photodynamic therapy comprising: a waveguide, a light source in communication with one end of the waveguide, a photodynamic tip in communication with another end of the waveguide wherein the photodynamic tip is designed to be securely but removably attached to a scaling tip of a scaler and the apparatus delivers light in a desired illumination pattern and in at least one predetermined wavelength to activate a photosensitizing composition for the killing of microbes. The invention also includes a method for using the apparatus in conjunction with a scaler to perform sonophotodynamic therapy and a method for making the apparatus. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255550 | Systems and methods for less invasive neutralization by ablation of tissue including the appendix and gall bladder - Systems and methods for ablation of the gall bladder and appendix through a natural orifice. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255551 | Cryosurgical System with Low Pressure Cryogenic Fluid Supply - A liquid cryogen fluid system for providing cryogenic liquid to a cryoprobe in a cryosurgical system for treating fibroadenomas and other lesions in the body. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255552 | Fast Fibroadenoma Treatment System and method - A method of treating fibroadenomas with optimized freezing periods at a single freezing temperature and minimal thawing time between freezing periods, and a system for accomplishing the method. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255553 | RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION DEVICE - A RF ablation device includes a probe assembly that has an elongate cannula having a lumen disposed interiorly of an external wall of the cannula. The elongate cannula includes a plurality of slots formed within the external wall that provide access to the lumen. The probe assembly includes an electrode member that is slidably disposed within the elongate cannula, the electrode member including a plurality of tines configured for passage through the plurality of slots. The slots are disposed in a staggered arrangement or pattern about the external wall of the cannula. The staggered arrangement of slots may be used in a monopolar or bipolar arrangement of the electrodes on the cannula. A bipolar arrangement of electrodes using the staggered configuration produces larger ablation areas in a shorter period of time as compared to prior designs. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255554 | External Fixator for Osteosynthesis or Bone Gap Manipulation - The invention relates to an external fixator which has a retaining member ( | 2008-10-16 |
20080255555 | Temporary anchorable tether systems and methods - A surgical apparatus for guiding the position of a medical device to a desired location includes an outer sleeve, a tether, and at least one elastic anchor hook engaged with the tether. The tether may be slideably moveable within the outer sleeve. Additionally, the anchor hook is configured to anchor into bone at the desired location. In certain embodiments, the anchor hook is elastically deformable from an unstressed curved shape to a deformed straightened shape. The anchor hook may be deformed to the straightened shape when positioned within the outer sleeve and may reform to the curved shape upon deployment from the outer sleeve. In certain embodiments, a rod surrounds part of the tether and is used for threading through medical devices to advance the medical devices to the desired location. Additionally, a deployment button may be used to deploy the anchor hooks from the outer sleeve. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255556 | Electrical screw - The present invention relates to the electrical stimulation of bone growth utilizing implantable bone fixation devices and implants to which are attached a screw of nonconductive material powered by a battery for the purpose of creating an electrical-magnetic field to promote bone healing and bone formation. The electric magnetic field is directed to the bone around the device through a battery of a rechargeable type and can include a radio frequency identification device. A constant current is generated in a range of 5-20 micro amperes to stimulate bone healing and bone formation. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255557 | HIGH STRENGTH SUTURE WITH ABSORBABLE CORE AND SUTURE ANCHOR COMBINATION - A novel high tensile strength semi-absorbable composite suture with minimized non-absorbable mass. The suture has a core made from a bioabsorbable polymer. The core is covered by a braided sheath. The braided sheath is made from an absorbable yarn and a bioabsorbable yarn. The bioabsorbable yarn is made from a least one filament of a bioabsorbable polymer. The nonabsorbable yarn is made from at least one filament of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255558 | Surgical Nail - An intramedullary nail comprising a central axis and a transverse borehole, provided with an insert which can be introduced into the transverse borehole, said insert also containing a longitudinal slit. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255559 | Orthopaedic trauma hip screw assembly and associated method - A hip screw assembly for fixation of a fractured femur is provided. The hip screw assembly includes a screw for engagement with the femur. The hip screw assembly also includes a barrel defining a cavity in the barrel. The barrel is fixedly secured to the plate. The screw including a portion thereof fitted in the cavity of the barrel. The hip screw assembly also includes a stop positionable in the barrel. The stop provides a limit on the movement of said screw in said barrel. The screw and the barrel have a first arrangement between each other in which the screw slides in the cavity of said barrel a first selectable predetermined distance and a second arrangement in which the screw slides a second selectable predetermined distance. The second distance is greater than the first distance. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255560 | Fracture Fixation and Site Stabilization System - A system for percutaneous fixation and stabilization of a fracture with a spanning, expandable structural frame placed in the intramedullary canal of the bone, comprising a column of surgical fluid such as bone cement, within which the structural frame acts as a reinforcing cage, and a sheath positioned at the fracture site and at least partially surrounding the frame and fluid. The fluid may be supported by a restrictor and may be agitated with a vibrating probe to remove entrapped air. The structural frame may be self-expanding or opened by an internal force, and it may be retrievable. The frame, fluid, or sheath may contain antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, or other therapeutic compounds to be delivered to the fracture site. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255561 | Medical device - A medical device for surgical applications including a body. The body includes bioabsorbable basic material and has a longitudinal axis. The body includes an inner region and a peripheral region transverse to the longitudinal axis so that the peripheral region surrounds the inner region. The inner region is made of bioabsorbable basic material and the peripheral region includes the bioabsorbable basic material. The peripheral region includes a bioabsorbable reinforcing structure in addition to the bioabsorbable basic material. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255562 | CUTTING INSTRUMENT AND METHOD OF USE FOR PREPARING AN OSTEOCHONDRAL PLUG FOR IMPLANTATION - A cutting instrument and method of use for preparing an osteochondral plug for implantation into a bone defect site. The instrument includes a dual function cutting block, a base holder, a rod mechanism and a trimming mechanism. The cutting block has a bore sized to receive the plug, at least one trimming channel and a transverse paring slot. The cutting block functions to hold the plug within the bore to allow for length and cross-sectional sizing. The base holder is constructed to fix the cutting block in a first orientation that allows the rod mechanism to position the plug within the cutting block for accurate length sizing. The base holder is also constructed to fix the cutting block in a second orientation which aligns the cutting block with the trimming mechanism so that an angled blade may engage the trimming channel and cut at least two sides of the plug. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255563 | INSTRUMENTATION AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SURGICAL ACCESS TO A SPINE - A system for accessing a spine from a curved postero-lateral approach may include a curved cannula positioned along a curved path from an opening in the skin to a location proximate the spine. A targeting post may be inserted adjacent the spine to determine the location. A peritoneal retractor and a guide member may be first inserted to establish the path between the tissues and fascia, and one or more intermediate cannulas may be temporarily inserted over the guide member to dilate the tissues prior to insertion of the main cannula. An interbody device may be implanted in an intervertebral space through the cannula. An endoscope may be inserted through the targeting post or the cannula. The system may include instruments with shafts which are flexible or are curved to match the curve of the curved cannula, including a rongeur, curette, rasp, distractor, trial implant, probe, tamp, and implant inserter. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255564 | Bone cutting device - Apparatus and a method of inserting spinal implants is disclosed in which an intervertebral space is first distracted, a hollow sleeve having teeth at one end is then driven into the vertebrae adjacent that disc space. A drill is then passed through the hollow sleeve removing disc and bone in preparation for receiving the spinal implant which is then inserted through the sleeve. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255565 | Broach handle for minimally invasive hip replacement surgery - A broach handle for attachment to a broach comprising a distal working end and a proximal connector end, the proximal connector end comprising a bore extending distally into the broach, and a finger comprising a recess and extending proximally away from the broach, the broach handle comprising: a body having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being longitudinally and laterally offset from the proximal end and comprising a finger for seating in the bore of the broach and a bore for receiving the finger of the broach; a linkage connected to the body and comprising a finger for selective disposition in the recess of the finger of the broach; and a lever connected to the body and arranged to manipulate the proximal end of the linkage so that manipulation of the proximal end of the lever can lock and unlock a broach to the handle. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255566 | Osteochondral Autograft Transplantation Procedure and Apparatus - A surgical procedure according to which a cutting device is connected in a spaced relationship to an anchor, and the anchor is located over a first area of the bone. The distance between the cutting device and the anchor is adjusted so that the cutting device extends over a second area of the bone, and the anchor is driven into the first area of the bone so that the cutting device cuts into the second area. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255567 | Spinal distraction system - A spinal distraction apparatus includes substantially parallel fixed and movable legs, each of which has opposite front and rear ends. A rear rod projects rigidly from the rear end of the fixed leg and passes slidably through the rear end of the movable leg. A front rod extends rigidly from the fixed leg and is parallel to the rear rod. The front rod is formed with an array of external threads and nuts are threadedly engaged on the external threads for engaging opposite sides of the movable leg at locations adjacent the front rod. Thus, the position of the movable leg relative to the fixed leg can be controlled by adjusting the positions of the nuts. Front ends of the fixed and movable legs have attachments mounted thereto for engaging pedicle screws or other structures used in spinal distraction surgery. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255568 | ANCILLARY TOOL AND METHOD FOR POSITIONING A PROSTHETIC ACETABULUM OF A HIP PROSTHESIS - The ancillary tool according to the invention comprises a handle for manipulating an acetabulum provided, in its distal part, with a head for gripping the acetabulum and, in its proximal part, with a surface for application of a force of impaction. The tool further comprises at least one added endpiece adapted to be removably connected to the distal end of the handle. This endpiece defines both a face for wedging the acetabulum and an opposite face for interaction of the endpiece with the head of the handle, these faces both being borne by a radially deformable supple ring. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255569 | Bone support device, system, and method - A bone support and/or barrier device, system, kit, and method can include an implantable structure having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first bone contact portion, and a second bone contact portion. The structure can be collapsible to an undeployed configuration capable of percutaneous insertion to the interior of a bone and expandable to a deployed configuration in the bone. In the deployed configuration, the first bone contact portion can contact a first portion of the bone, and the second bone contact portion can contact a second portion of the bone such that a load placed on the first portion of the bone can be transferred through the implantable structure to the second portion of the bone. The implantable structure can include a barrier material adapted to restrict a bone filler material inserted into the bone adjacent the inner surface of the structure from flowing to the outer surface of the structure. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255570 | BONE TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for delivering bone cement into a bone can include a handle body defining a flow path, a thermal emitter in the handle body to apply energy to bone cement passing through the flow path, a source of bone cement and an injection cannula. The cannula can be in communication with the flow path such that inserting the cannula into a bone can allow a flow of bone cement therethrough to an opening at a distal end of the cannula. Other systems and methods for delivering bone cement into a bone can include an injector body with a handle portion, and a cannula, a bone cement container, a low pressure drive mechanism configured to effect a flow of bone cement from said container to the injector body and a high pressure drive mechanism configured to effect a flow of bone cement through the injector body into the bone. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255571 | BONE TREATMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods for delivering bone cement into a bone can include a handle body defining a flow path, a thermal emitter in the handle body to apply energy to bone cement passing through the flow path, a source of bone cement and an injection cannula. The cannula can be in communication with the flow path such that inserting the cannula into a bone can allow a flow of bone cement therethrough to an opening at a distal end of the cannula. Other systems and methods for delivering bone cement into a bone can include an injector body with a handle portion, and a cannula, a bone cement container, a low pressure drive mechanism configured to effect a flow of bone cement from said container to the injector body and a high pressure drive mechanism configured to effect a flow of bone cement through the injector body into the bone. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255572 | Device for Following the Penetration of an Instrument in an Anatomical Structure - A device to monitor penetration of an instrument into an anatomical structure including a voltage source supplying at least two electrodes, at least one of the electrodes carried by a part of the penetration instrument intended to penetrate the anatomical structure, the penetrating part having at least one detachable longitudinal part; and a device that measures the impedance between the electrodes or an electro-stimulator or both. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255573 | SURGICAL LASER TRAJECTORY INSTRUMENT - A system for illuminating patient anatomy to locate a site for an incision. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255574 | INSTRUMENT FOR INSERTION OF PROSTHETIC COMPONENTS - An instrument configured to receive and retain a prosthetic component to facilitate the implantation of the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the instrument includes an actuator and holder secured to the actuator. The holder may include an elongate body and a head portion having a plurality of resiliently deformable arms sized and shaped to receive the prosthetic component therebetween. Additionally, the holder may be placed within a guide in the actuator along which the holder may be translated. By moving the actuator, the holder may be correspondingly translated and the resiliently deformable arms compressed to restrict translation and rotation of the prosthetic component relative to the holder. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255575 | Instruments and methods for sizing a connecting element for positioning along a bony segment - Instruments and methods for determining the spacing between locations in an animal subject are employed to size a connecting element to secure along a bony segment in the animal subject. The instruments and methods include a measuring instrument mountable to proximal ends of extensions extending from anchors engaged to the bony segment. The measuring instrument is configured to provide an indication of the spacing between the anchors even if the extensions are in non-parallel relation to one another. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255576 | Multiple implant dispensing driver - Instruments and methods are provided for delivering multiple implants to multiple implant locations in a patient without requiring a second implant to be loaded onto or engaged to the delivery instrument after delivery of a first implant. The implants can be sequentially engaged using the delivery instrument to the patient or to receptacles of one or more receiving members secured to the patient. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255577 | Lens Delivery System Cartridge and Method of Manufacture - A cartridge for an IOL delivery system that has a straight thinned walled distal nozzle. The transition region between the tapered folding portion of the cartridge and the nozzle contain reinforcing gussets to help prevent splitting of the cartridge. Flow leaders in the nozzle direct the flow of material during molding at the 12:00 o'clock position, positioning the weld line of the flow front at the 6:00 o'clock position. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255578 | CORNEAL ENDOTHELIAL TISSUE INSERTER - The present invention is a an instrument to be utilized in a procedure to transfer donor endothelial cells to the cornea without injuring or destroying cells during the transfer process. Currently there are no instruments/techniques that facilitate the transfer process. Techniques today include forcing the tissue through a 3-5 mm opening with forceps that crush and damage the tissue. My instrument would allow for the transfer of living endothelial cells with minimal or no trauma. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255579 | Implantation Tool for Intraocular Lenses - The object of the invention is to permit a smooth advance movement of intraocular lenses ( | 2008-10-16 |
20080255580 | MEDICAL DEVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM WITH SHEATH SEPARATION - Medical device delivery systems and associated methods are provided. Delivery systems according to the invention include an elongated tubular member and a body member, such as a dilator, disposed therein. An intraluminal medical device is disposed on the dilator and within the tubular member prior to deployment. The delivery system includes a means for separating two or more portions of the distal end of the tubular member that aids in deploying the intraluminal medical device from the delivery system by separating two or more portions of the tubular member from each other to facilitate release of the intraluminal medical device from the body member. Various structures can be used for means for separating, including a cutting ring, activateable material on the tubular member, or other suitable structure. The provided devices and methods reduce friction occuring from relative movement between the sheath and dilator during deployment. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255581 | SHORT SLEEVE STENT DELIVERY CATHETER AND METHODS - A stent delivery catheter comprises a catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a guidewire lumen extending from the distal end to at least part way between the proximal end and the distal end. A balloon is disposed over the catheter body near the distal end, and a stent is positioned over the balloon. The stent has a proximal end, a distal end, and a side opening between the proximal end and the distal end. A side sheath is coupled to the catheter body and has a proximal end, a distal end, and a guidewire lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end of the side sheath is located between the proximal end of the catheter body and the balloon, and the side sheath exits out of the side opening of the stent. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255582 | Methods and Template Assembly for Implanting an Electrode Array in a Patient - Templates and their methods of use for creating a plurality of holes or openings at predetermined locations in the skull of a patient, wherein the plurality of holes or openings are configured to receive a plurality of electrodes that may monitor brain activity signals from the patient and/or deliver a neuromodulation therapy to the patient. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255583 | Method For Guiding Instruments Having Different Sizes - A system and procedure for using the system are disclosed for guiding instruments of varying sizes. The instruments can be guided into various portions of the anatomy for performing a procedure, providing a treatment, measuring a physiological response, or the like. Two or more instruments of varying sizes can be driven or guided relative to one another with the same system. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255584 | Acetabular Cup Positioning - A computer aided surgery system, method, surgical method and instrument for guiding the positioning of an acetabular cup in a pelvis are described. The position of the transverse acetabular ligament of the pelvis and the position of the acetabular labrum of the pelvis are determined. The orientation of an acetabular plane including the acetabular labrum and the transverse acetabular ligament is calculated. A planned position for the acetabular cup is determined, in which an inlet plane of the cup is substantially parallel to the acetabular plane. The instrument comprises a mounting for attaching the instrument to a patient, a support, a guide defining a longitudinal axis, and for receiving a further instrument bearing the acetabular cup implant, and an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism can allow the angular orientation of the guide to be adjusted about at least two different axes to allow the inclination and version or anteversion of the longitudinal axis to be altered. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255585 | Resiliently deformable tool guide for use in minimally invasive telesurgical system - A tool guide for guiding an end effector of a robotically controlled surgical instrument from a position outside a patient body to a position in close proximity to an internal surgical site within the patient body is provided. The tool guide typically comprises a body, a seat formation on the body, the seat formation being arranged to seat in an aperture leading into the patient body so as to mount the tool guide on the patient body, and a sheath formation on the body. The sheath formation typically defines a longitudinally extending internal passage, an inlet leading into the passage and an outlet leading from the passage. The sheath formation is arranged to cooperate with the seat formation such that when the seat formation is seated in the aperture, the outlet of the sheath formation can be positioned in close proximity to the internal surgical site thereby to enable the end effector to be guided to a position in close proximity to the surgical site by passing it through the inlet, along the passage and out from the outlet, so as to emerge from the outlet at the position in close proximity to the internal surgical site. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255586 | Assembly for Use in Dermabrasion Having an Abrasive Disc - The present invention relates to an assembly having a handle, cap and abrasive disc for use in dermabrasion. The assembly is able to be used to vigorously abrade the skin when said abrasive disc protrudes beyond and through an opening in said cap. The abrasive disc can then be retracted or repositioned within a chamber enclosed by said cap and the tool can be used to draw off the dead skin particles or gently abraded the skin surface. The tool of the present invention has the ability to be adjusted to the specific requirements of the user as the same handle allows the attachment of variously sized abrasive discs and caps to facilitate treatment. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255587 | MEDICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - The invention relates to a medical apparatus including a device used in the treatment of weight loss, obesity and potentially other associated health problems, e.g., type II diabetes. The device is used to impede absorption of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., bypassing a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The medical apparatus enables implantation of the device using minimally invasive techniques, such a transesophageal approach under visualization. The device may be implanted via a working channel of a medical scope, e.g., an endoscope or in combination with a medical scope. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255588 | Tool with multi-state ratcheted end effector - The invention provides surgical or diagnostic tools and associated methods that offer improved user control for operating remotely within regions of the body. These tools include a proximally-located actuator for the operation of a distal end effector, as well as proximally-located actuators for articulational and rotational movements of the end effector. Control mechanisms and methods refine operator control of end effector actuation and of these articulational and rotational movements. A multi-state ratchet for end effector actuation provides enablement-disablement options with tactile feedback. The tool may also include other features. A force limiter mechanism protects the end effector and manipulated objects from the harm of potentially excessive force applied by the operator. An articulation lock allows the fixing and releasing of both neutral and articulated configurations of the tool and of consequent placement of the end effector. A rotation lock provides for enablement and disablement of rotatability of the end effector. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255589 | Multi-function clipping and harvesting device - A multi-function minimally invasive vessel clipping and harvesting device includes at least two clipping devices positioned to advance surgical clips onto a tissue, and a severing device positioned to sever the tissue between the clips. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255590 | Apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing - An apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing is disclosed. A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing includes an elongated barrel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the elongated barrel; a suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongated barrel, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after rotation of the suturing needle; and an actuator extending from the proximal end of the elongated barrel to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255591 | MEDICAL SUTURING TOOL WITH MULTIPLE PUNCTURE NEEDLES - A suture tool for fixing the gastric wall to the abdominal wall comprises a first puncture needle for insertion, a suture thread, a second puncture needle for removing the suture thread, a linear grasping member and one or more anchor member. The tip end portion of the suture thread is inserted into the first puncture needle and a hook of the linear grasping member is inserted into the second puncture needle for removing the suture thread inserted into the first puncture needle for securing the gastric wall to the abdominal wall. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255592 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TREATING OBESITY AND GERD BY INTUSSUSCEPTING A PORTION OF STOMACH TISSUE - Described here are devices and methods for intussuscepting a portion of stomach tissue. Typically the intussusception is created at a position near, but distal to the gastroesophageal junction, and a pouch capable of storing a volume (from about | 2008-10-16 |
20080255593 | Prosthetic repair patch with suture retaining structure - A prosthetic repair patch has a sheet and a plurality of retaining structures connected thereto. The sheet, with first and second sheet surfaces, completely under covers a hernia in tissue of a patient with the first sheet surface adjacently abutting a first surface of the tissue that faces away from a person installing the patch. The retaining structures are connected to the sheet in a spaced apart configuration and are configured for retaining a suture passed therethrough, each suture being initially passed from the second tissue surface through the first tissue surface, through at least one retaining structure, and back through the first tissue surface and out of the second tissue surface. Suture ends of each suture may then be drawn away from the second tissue surface to draw the first sheet surface into local and adjacent abutment with the first tissue surface and attached to one another. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255594 | MEDICAL APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - The invention relates to a novel medical apparatus for treatment of obesity, diabetes, and/or other obesity-associated health problems. The apparatus is used to impede absorption of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., substantially isolating nutrients from a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The apparatus can be implanted using minimally invasive techniques, such a transesophageal approach under visualization. More specifically, the apparatus is used to impede absorption of nutrients within the gastrointestinal tract, i.e., substantially isolating nutrients from a portion of the gastrointestinal tract. The apparatus may include a sleeve and at least one anchoring component attached to the sleeve with a releasable component. The sleeve may have different properties along its length or there may be multiple sleeves having different properties. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255595 | Valvulotome - A valvulotome device for cutting valves inside a lumen of a vein having a deployable assembly with deployable cutting blades and guide fins which permit continual centralizing, self-alignment of the cutting blades within the lumen of the vein as the valves are being excised is disclosed. The valvulotome device further includes a handle operatively associated with the deployable assembly through a catheter by the handle in a one-handed operation for deploying the guide fins and cutting blades of the deployable assembly having respective outer diameters at each deployment position. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255596 | THROMBECTOMY APPARATUS AND METHOD - A thrombectomy system may include an elongate shaft that defines a high pressure lumen and a low pressure lumen. The high pressure lumen may terminate near an end of the low pressure lumen. An expandable capture basket may be disposed near the end of the low pressure lumen. A thrombectomy apparatus may include an elongate shaft, an evacuation lumen extending within the elongate shaft and a high pressure lumen extending within the elongate shaft. A capture apparatus may be disposed within a wire lumen that extends within the elongate shaft such that the capture apparatus extends distally from the wire lumen. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255597 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TISSUE MORCELLATION - The invention relates to a tissue morcellator for minimally invasive surgery. The morcellator has a metallic cutting ring mounted on a visually transparent hollow cylinder, which in combination with a visually transparent outer morcellator tube enables a surgeon to visualize the inside of the morcellator shaft for detection of loose tissue fragments in the device. A tenaculum used with the morcellation device has a spacer for preventing contact with the blade. The cutting tube can oscillate, rather than rotate, along the longitudinal axis of the cutting tube. The morcellator utilizes an extendable tissue guide on the outer tube of the morcellator shaft for preventing the tissue from rotating along the longitudinal axis of the morcellator tube. This allows the tissue to be continuously rotated into the morcellator device for continuous peel. The tissue guide can also be fully retracted to allow for coring of the bulk tissue. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255598 | Lancing Device With Replaceable Multi-Lancet Carousel - A housing having an actuator mechanism and a replaceable carousel having a series of lancets. The carousel is removably received in the housing and the actuator mechanism is operable to actuate the individual lancets. In exemplary embodiments the lancing device has, amongst other features, key and detent mechanisms for orienting and securing the carousel in the housing, tangentially configured lancets for compactness, actuator alignment features for aligning the actuator with the lancets, charging mechanisms for ease in charging the lancets for launching, and shutter mechanisms for retaining the lancets in the housing after launching. Also included is a method for lancing using a lancing device according to the invention. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255599 | ACUPUNCTURE NEEDLE - An acupuncture needle gives skin a favorable stimulus without invading the skin when in contact with or pressed against the skin. The acupuncture needle includes a base plate and projections formed on a surface of the base plate integrally therewith. Each of the projections have elasticity and includes a base portion and a substantially cylindrical head portion formed on the base portion. The head portion has a flat top surface substantially parallel to the surface of the base plate and a side perpendicular to the surface f the base plate. The base portion has an inwardly depressed external curved line in a central vertical section and a diameter in a transverse cross section gradually becoming larger toward the surface of the base plate. The projections sway in a direction substantially parallel to the skin when the acupuncture needle is in contact with or pressed against the skin. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255600 | Endoscopic Dissector - A dissection device comprising an elongate cannula having proximal and distal ends and a central axis and arranged to receive at least a remote viewing device therein, a handle arranged to be attached to the proximal end of the elongate cannula and a dissection tip arranged to be attached to the distal end of the elongate cannula, the dissection tip comprising a curved hollow shroud that when the dissection tip is orientated for use defines a substantially concave working cavity having an open underside, the hollow shroud comprising a pair of laterally extending lateral extensions, each wing extending from an opposing lateral portion of the periphery of the hollow shroud. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255601 | Apparatus and method for remote deflation of intragastric balloon - An intragastric balloon and apparatus for remote deflation of the balloon are disclosed. The apparatus for remote deflation allows the physician to cause the valve of the intragastric balloon to open without surgery using a remote control from outside of the body. The remote deflation mechanism may be powered internally by a battery or may be powered externally by induction. Additionally, a deflation mechanism that causes the entire valve to be separated from the intragastric balloon is disclosed. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255602 | Devices and methods for treatment of obesity - Methods, devices, tools, instruments and systems for treating a patient to induce weight loss. In one method embodiment, a device, including an expandable member in a collapsed configuration, is passed through an opening in the skin of the patient, and into the abdominal cavity of the patient. At least a portion of the expandable member is anchored relative to at least one structure in the abdominal cavity, without piercing the stomach. The expandable member is expanded to an expanded configuration in a space in the abdominal cavity to perform at least one of: prevention of expansion of the stomach of the patient into the space; and compression of a portion of the stomach. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255603 | Implant Device Particularly Useful For Implantation In the Intravascular System For Diverting Emboli - A device for implantation in the body of a subject to divert solid particles from entering branch passageways, particularly useful for diverting emboli from branch blood vessels. The implant device includes an anchoring section for firmly anchoring in the branch blood vessel, and a diverter section projecting into the main blood vessel at the upstream side of the branch blood vessel. The diverter section is constructed to permit blood flow through the main blood vessel but includes an outer surface facing the upstream side of the main blood vessel effective to divert emboli in the blood from entering the branch blood vessel. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255604 | EMBOLIC PROTECTION DEVICE WITH LOCKING DEVICE - A device and method for locking onto a guidewire. The device includes an element transversely movable along the guidewire. The element may have a plurality of portions and a biasing member connecting first and second portions of the transversely moveable element such that the first portion and another of the portions are movable from a first position, where the first portion and the other portion are aligned with respect to one another, to a second position, where the first portion is no longer aligned with respect to the other portion, the device being locked to the guidewire in the second position. The device can be used for locking an embolic protection device including a filter to a guidewire that is adapted to be introduced into a vascular system of a patient. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255605 | MIGRATION RESISTANT EMBOLIC FILTER - An embolic filter is disclosed and can include a head. A plurality of bent legs can extend from the head. Each bent leg can be configured to engage an inner wall of a vein and prevent the embolic filter from migrating in a cranial direction. A plurality of straight legs can also extend from the head. Each straight leg can be configured to prevent the embolic filter from migrating in a caudal direction. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255606 | FILTERING DEVICE FOR USE WITHIN A BODY LUMEN - A filtering apparatus for collecting emboli or thromboli in a body lumen. The apparatus may be a temporary filtering device mounted on a core wire for use during interventional procedures or a semi-permanent filtering device that is left within a body lumen for a therapeutically appropriate length of time. The filtering device includes a tubular member having an outer surface for apposition with the body lumen and a filter member positioned within an interior of the tubular member. The fitter member includes an apex at a proximal end that is positioned along a longitudinal axis of the filtering device, a distal end attached to the tubular member, and an outer surface facing an inner surface of the tubular member. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255607 | Powered surgical instrument - A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a drive motor, a drive tube, a firing rod and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a first longitudinal axis. The drive motor is disposed at least partially within the housing. The drive tube is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive motor and is rotatable about a drive tube axis extending through the drive tube. The firing rod is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive tube and at least a portion of the firing rod is translatable with respect to the drive tube. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal portion of the endoscopic portion and is in mechanical cooperation with the firing rod so that the firing rod drives a surgical function of the end effector. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255608 | Tool with end effector force limiter - The invention provides surgical or diagnostic tools and associated methods that offer improved user control for operating remotely within regions of the body. In some embodiments these tools include a proximally-located actuator for the operation of a distal end effector, as well as proximally-located actuators for articulational and rotational movements of the end effector. Control mechanisms and methods refine operator control of end effector actuation and of these articulational and rotational movements. A force limiter mechanism protects the end effector and manipulated objects from the harm of potentially excessive force applied by the operator. The tool may also include other features. A multi-state ratchet for end effector actuation provides enablement-disablement options with tactile feedback. An articulation lock allows the fixing and releasing of both neutral and articulated configurations of the tool and of consequent placement of the end effector. A rotation lock provides for enablement and disablement of rotatability of the end effector. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255609 | LABELED VASCULAR PATCH - The present invention relates generally to a labeled vascular patch to be applied during surgical repair of blood vessels, which have become diseased by atherosclerosis or injured by trauma. More particularly, the present patch comprises a label, useful for locating the patch during post-operative recovery to assess the success of the surgery and/or during subsequent operations on the same portion of vasculature. The label can comprise any material useful for interacting with imaging energy including, but not limited to Radiation Energy (i.e. X-Rays) electromagnetic energy, sound energy, and light energy, and/or any other energy used for therapeutic imaging. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255610 | Adhesive-Containing Wound Closure Device and Method - An article, such as a tissue bonding article, includes a flexible material, a polymerization initiator or rate modifier disposed in or on the flexible material, and a polymerizable adhesive composition permeated throughout at least a portion of the flexible material, where the polymerization initiator or rate modifier is a polymerization initiator or rate modifier for the polymerizable adhesive composition. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255611 | SELF-RETAINING SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL PROCEDURES - The present invention relates generally to self-retaining systems for surgical procedures, methods of manufacturing self-retaining systems for surgical procedures, and their uses. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255612 | SELF-RETAINING SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL PROCEDURES - The present invention relates generally to self-retaining systems for surgical procedures, methods of manufacturing self-retaining systems for surgical procedures, and their uses. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255613 | Adjustable knotless loops - Methods of attaching a soft tissue to an adjacent bone at a defect site are provided. An adjustable loop region of a flexible construct contained in a bore defined by a fastener is passed through a tissue. The adjustable loop is passed through the tissue. The fastener is passed back through the adjustable loop to fold the adjustable loop upon itself. The fastener is attached to the bone. An adjusting arm on the flexible construct is engaged to reduce the size of the adjustable loop and secure the soft tissue to the bone. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255614 | Teething holder - A teething holder for use with a child's teething item, and more particularly a teething device having a flexible and elastic loop, a lock for releaseably locking the loop around a teething object, such as a biscuit, and an attachment element, for attaching the teething device, such as to a baby's bib or chair. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255615 | Treatments for Correcting Spinal Deformities - The present application is directed to methods of treating a spinal deformity. The methods may begin by initially testing the spinal deformity. An implant may be chosen to treat the deformity based on the results of the testing. The implant may then be attached to vertebral members to begin treating the deformity. The implant and vertebral members may be monitored afterwards to determine whether the deformity is being corrected, and that the vertebral members remain healthy. If the monitoring warrants, the implant may be adjusted to better correct the deformity and/or prevent damage to the vertebral members. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255616 | Devices and Methods for the Treatment of Spinal Disorders - Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. Dynamic bias devices and reinforcement devices are disclosed, which may be used individually or in combination, to eliminate nerve impingement associated with the damaged disc, and/or to reinforce the damaged disc, while permitting relative movement of the vertebrae adjacent the damaged disc. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255617 | Vertebral Support Device - A vertebral support device ( | 2008-10-16 |
20080255618 | ARTICULATING FACET FUSION SCREW - A spinal implant is provided having an elongate member with a longitudinal axis and threads extending over at least a portion of the outer surface thereof. The implant includes a stabilization feature associated with the elongate member that is selectively configurable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration in which the stabilization feature is oriented at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. Also, at least a portion of the implant can include a fusion-promoting bioactive material. In another aspect, the invention includes methods for providing stabilization within a facet joint by delivery of an articulating intra-facet screw. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255619 | Posterior spinal fixation with colinear facet screw - A three element spinal fixation system for implantation from a posterior lateral incision. The first element in the form of a translaminar cannula is adapted to be implanted along a longitudinal axis of a lamina of a vertebra. A bracket is provided as a second element with a first end removably secured to the translaminar cannula and the second end secured to vertebra inferior to an adjacent vertebra in which the translaminar cannula is implanted. The translaminar cannula has a hollow central bore which receives a third element in the form of a translaminar facet screw. The translaminar facet screw is sufficiently long to be able to pass through the central bore and out of the translaminar cannula, passing through the facet joint to fix the two vertebra at the facet joint. Both contralateral and ipsilateral fixation are thus provided with all three elements implanted from a single ipsilateral incision. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255620 | Anterior Vertebral Plate With Spike Fixation - Provided is a novel system that includes an anterior vertebral body plate with at least one bone spike pivotally attached to the plate and capable of being manually inserted into underlying bone to securely fix the plate to the bone. Also provided is a method of stabilizing cervical vertebrae using the disclosed system. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255621 | Sleeve - The invention relates to a sleeve ( | 2008-10-16 |
20080255622 | FACET FIXATION AND FUSION SCREW AND WASHER ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF USE - A spinal implant including a stabilization member coupled to an elongate member is herein provided. The implant can be configured for placement within a facet joint in an intra-facet or trans-facet configuration. Also, the implant can include a fusion-promoting bioactive material thereby providing a single device capable of spinal stabilization and/or fusion. Furthermore, a method of placing such an implant within a facet joint in an intra-facet or trans-facet orientation is hereby provided. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255623 | Osteochondral allograft cartilage transplant workstation - The invention is directed toward a portable surgical workstation and kit of accessory devises for cartilage implant formation comprising a base, a vise assembly mounted to the base, the vise assembly comprising a fixed jaw member and a moveable jaw member, each jaw member defining grasping surfaces for holding a bone workpiece. A shaft drive is threadably connected to the moveable jaw member and rotatably mounted in the fixed jaw member for transporting the moveable jaw toward and away from the fixed jaw. An articulated guide assembly is mounted to the fixed jaw member, the articulated guide means including a sleeve member and a plurality of moveable interconnected members selectively rotatable on a ball joint. A miter assembly defining a slot of a width to receive a surgical saw is mounted to at least one of the jaw members. The kit of accessory devices comprises a plurality of different diameter bushings which fit in the sleeve member and a plurality of different diameter cylindrical core cutter assemblies sized to fit in each respective sized bushing and a donor cutter guide adapted to fit in said sleeve. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255624 | Methods and devices for multipoint access of a body part - Disclosed are methods and devices for accessing body parts using a plurality of access points to facilitate the repair of such body parts. The multipoint access devices and methods of the present invention may facilitate manipulating tools and materials that can be used in the repair of bone and other body parts. In certain embodiments, the multipoint access and repair devices of the present invention may be used for sectioning and repair of a vertebral body or an intervertebral disc. Additionally, methods and devices for emplacing an expandable barrier structure are disclosed. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255625 | System and Method for Providing Event Summary Information Using an Encoded Ecg Waveform - Systems and methods for transferring medical information from a first medical monitoring device to a second device are provided. Medical information from the first medical monitoring device is encoded as an ECG waveform and the ECG waveform having the encoded medical information is provided to the second device as an input ECG waveform. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255626 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE CONFIGURED AS A PEDOMETER - This document discusses, among other things, a system including an implantable medical device. The implantable medical device includes a control circuit and a motion sensing device. The motion sensing device is coupled to the control circuit, and the motion sensing device is configured to transmit signals to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to identify one or more steps of a patient using the motion sensing device signal. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255627 | Implantable Heart Stimulation Device and Method - The above object is achieved in accordance with the present invention by a cardiac stimulation device for stimulating a heart having a first ventricle and a second ventricle. The device includes a first ventricle sensing circuit that is configured to communicate with a first ventricle sensing electrode suited to be positioned in or at the first ventricle, to enable the first ventricle sensing circuit to sense the first ventricle. The device also includes a second ventricle pacing circuit, configured to communicate with a second ventricle pacing electrode suited to be positioned in or at the second ventricle of the heart, to enable the second ventricle pacing circuit to pace the second ventricle. The device includes a control circuit that operates with time cycles corresponding to normal heart cycles. The control circuit is configured to, within such a time cycle, to detect a cardiac event in the first ventricle with the first ventricle sensing circuit and, after a time duration that is greater than or equal to zero, to cause the second ventricle pacing circuit to deliver a pacing pulse. The control circuit is also configured to detect the aforementioned loop of events indicative of the pacemaker-mediated tachycardia by detecting one or both of (i) the regularity of one or more repetitious events related to operation of the first ventricle sensing circuit or the second ventricle pacing circuit, and (ii) a repetitive operation pattern of the heart stimulation device. The control circuit is configured to determine if the detected regularity satisfies a predetermined regularity criterion and to determine if the operation pattern satisfies a predetermined operation pattern criterion. Based on whether one or both of these criteria are satisfied, the control circuit determines whether the aforementioned loop of events, and thus the presence of pacemaker-mediated tachycardia, is likely to exist. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255628 | REVERSE PACING-MODE SWITCH - A device comprises a cardiac contraction sensing circuit, a timer circuit, an electrical stimulation circuit, and a controller. The timer circuit provides a time duration of an atrial-atrial interval between successive atrial contractions, a ventricular-ventricular interval between successive ventricular contractions, and an atrial-ventricular (A-V) interval between an atrial contraction and a same cardiac cycle ventricular contraction. The controller includes an event detection module and a pacing module. The event detection module is configured for determining whether A-V block events are sustained over multiple cardiac cycles. The pacing module is configured for providing pacing therapy according to a primary pacing mode that includes AAI(R) mode with independent VVI backup mode, and for switching the pacing therapy to a secondary pacing mode if A-V block events are sustained over multiple cardiac cycles. Other devices and methods are described. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255629 | Cardiac Motion Characterization by Strain Measurement - Methods for evaluating motion of a cardiac tissue location, e.g., heart wall, are provided. In the subject methods, timing of a signal obtain from a strain gauge stably associated with the tissue location of interest is employed to evaluate movement of the cardiac tissue location. Also provided are systems, devices and related compositions for practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and devices find use in a variety of different applications, including cardiac resynchronization therapy. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255630 | Connecting Apparatus And Methods - Included herein, amongst other things, is a stimulation lead adapter. The stimulation lead adapter can include a stimulation lead socket configured to electrically engage and retain the proximal end of a stimulation lead. The stimulation lead adapter can also include an adapter plug configured to electrically engage a stimulation lead port of an implantable medical device. The stimulation lead adapter can also include a connector configured to provide electrical communication between the stimulation lead socket and the adapter plug. In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable cardiac rhythm management device configured to perform at least one pacing system analyzer function. In an embodiment, the invention includes a programmer system for an implantable medical device, the programmer system configured to display pacing system analyzer function data within a single tabbed window of a graphical user interface. Other aspects and embodiments are also provided herein. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255631 | INTEGRATED HEADER CONNECTOR SYSTEM - Connector assemblies for use with implantable medical devices having easy to assemble contacts is disclosed. The connector assemblies are generally formed by coupling a plurality of contact rings, sealing rings, and spring contact elements together with at least one holding ring to form a connector having a common bore fore receiving a medical lead cable. Contact grooves for positioning the spring contact elements are formed in part by assembling multiple components together. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255632 | Modulation of the Pain Circuitry to Affect Chronic Pain - The present invention relates to methods of affecting chronic pain by applying an electrical and/or chemical signal to the target site of the pain circuitry associated with chronic pain. Such target sites include cerebral and deep brain target sites. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255633 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FOCUSED BIPOLAR TISSUE ABLATION - Large tissue regions are treated using pairs of electrode arrays. The electrode arrays may be concave and disposed in tissue so that their concave portions are opposed to each other. Axial conductors may be provided extending from the arrays and toward each other in order to increase the heating of tissues lying along the axis between the deployed electrode arrays. By properly spacing the electrode arrays apart and selecting the diameters of the arrays, desired volumes of tissue may be treated, typically with a bipolar, radiofrequency current. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255634 | Treatment of Obesity and/or Type II Diabetes by Stimulation of the Pituitary Gland - Methods of treating obesity and/or type II diabetes include applying at least one stimulus to the pituitary gland of a patient with an implanted stimulator in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The at least one stimulus is configured to treat obesity and/or type II diabetes. Systems for treating obesity and/or type II diabetes include a stimulator configured to apply at least one stimulus to the pituitary gland of a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The at least one stimulus is configured to treat obesity and/or type II diabetes. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255635 | IN VIVO SENSING DEVICES AND METHODS OF IDENTIFICATION THEREOF - An in-vivo sensing device for capturing sensed data of the gastrointestinal tract, or other body lumens or cavities of a patient, and for transmitting the sensed data to a data recorder external to the patient. The in-vivo sensing device has an identifier code associated with it. The sensed data may be transmitted to the data recorder together with the identifier code so that the received sensed data can be correlated with the in-vivo sensing device. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255636 | System and method for sharing a common communication channel between multiple systems of implantable medical devices - A system and method that facilitates multiple systems of communicating devices, i.e., a master device and one or more implantable slave devices, to coexist on a common, e.g., RF, communication channel having a limited temporal bandwidth while maintaining the required update rate between each master device and its associated slave devices. In embodiments of the present invention, master devices periodically transmit one or more beacon messages that are suitable for identification by other such master devices at a communication range greater than the communication range that may cause interference between systems and thus enabling one or more systems to cause the position of its frame periods to be interleaved with the frame periods of other such systems in anticipation of systems moving in closer proximity and actually interfering with each other. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255637 | Thermotherapy System Based on Redox Potential - A method for treating a disease by returning the body to a natural condition. The method adjusts a parameter of a thermotherapy for treating or preventing the disease, disability, or condition of a patient and comprises (A) a step of measuring the redox potential (or pH value) of the patient and (B) a step of determining the parameter of thermotherapy suited to the patient according to the redox potential. Considering returning the biopotential to a range called homeostatic potential, a therapeutic potential of −75 mV to −90 mV (the potential in the cell is −75 mV) the absolute value of which is higher than that of the cell is given. It has been found that this therapy effects a cure. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255638 | LASER THERAPY APPARATUS WITH CONTROLLED OPTICAL COHERENCE - A laser therapy method and apparatus is disclosed. The optical coherence property of the therapy laser is actively controlled to provide optimum therapy results for difference types of biological tissue and body parts. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255639 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR TREATING TISSUE USING A COAGULATED BEAM PATH - The invention disclosed herein is directed to methods and devices for treating tissue having an overlying portion and an underlying portion by using a first fractional optical energy treatment to coagulate a plurality of zones in the overlying portion, thereby reducing the optical scattering of the overlying portion, and directing a subsequent fractional optical energy treatment through the coagulated zones to the underlying portion in order to produce an effective treatment in the underlying portion of a region of tissue. The methods and devices disclosed can further comprise detection and treatment of subsurface targets in the underlying portion of tissue. The treatment parameters used to deliver the first and subsequent treatments, including wavelength, can be optimized in order to provide a first optical treatment that effectively coagulates the overlying portion and a subsequent one or more optical treatments that effectively treat the underlying portion. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255640 | Portable Phototherapy Device - Disclosed herein is a portable device suited to treating psoriasis and other skin diseases in patients. The device can be carried like a suitcase from one location to another and can be used to treat various body parts, such as the hands, feet, face, and chest. The device includes a carrying case, ultraviolet bulbs, a ballast, and electrical components. The device can also include a timer to measure the duration of the phototherapy treatment. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255641 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT OF HEATING PAD SYSTEMS - According to some embodiments, an apparatus for warming a patient on a thermal pad includes a heating element to heat a surface of the thermal pad. A power unit is operable to provide power to the heating element. Respective ones of a plurality of sensors are coupled to detect temperature at select portions of the surface of the thermal pad, while a heating element sensor is coupled to detect a temperature of the heating element. A temperature control circuit board is embedded within the thermal pad and is electrically coupled to the plurality of sensors and the heating element sensor. The temperature control circuit board is operable to limit a temperature at the surface of the thermal pad to a safe temperature based on the temperature detected by the plurality of sensors and the heating element sensor. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255642 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR THERMALLY-INDUCED RENAL NEUROMODULATION - Methods and system are provided for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. Thermally-induced renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal energy to heat or cool neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. In some embodiments, parameters of the neural fibers, of non-target tissue, or of the thermal energy delivery element, may be monitored via one or more sensors for controlling the thermally-induced neuromodulation. In some embodiments, protective elements may be provided to reduce a degree of thermal damage induced in the non-target tissues. In some embodiments, thermally-induced renal neuromodulation is achieved via delivery of a pulsed thermal therapy. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255643 | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS RELATING TO PREVENTION OF CHEMOTHERAPY-INDUCED ALOPECIA - The present invention relates to a method for protecting a human patient or a mammalian animal to be subjected to chemotherapy treatment of a tumor not residing in the scalp of the patient or the skin of the animal against chemotherapy-induced alopecia, comprising administering to the scalp of the patient or the skin of the animal an effective amount of a composition comprising a chemical inducer of the stress protein response sufficiently prior to the administration of a chemotherapeutic drug. It also relates to pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced alopecia. It further relates to a method for protecting a human patient or a mammalian animal to be subjected to chemotherapy treatment of a tumor not residing in the scalp of the patient or the skin of the animal against chemotherapy-induced alopecia, comprising administering to the scalp of the patient or the skin of the animal an effective heat dose sufficiently prior to the administration of a chemotherapeutic drug. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255644 | SORPTION-BASED ADHESIVE CONTACT COOLING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A sorption-based, adhesive contact apparatus and method for contact cooling a patient via conductive thermal exchange are described. The apparatus includes a pad, having a fluid containing layer and adhesive contact surface, and a sorption-based device, fluidly interconnectable to the fluid containing layer, for vaporizing fluid contained in the fluid containing layer and for sorping the vaporized fluid. The fluid vaporization and the vapor sorption cools the adhesive contact surface of the pad. A port control member may selectively establish fluid interconnection between the fluid containing layer and sorption-based device. An internal pressure of the sorption-based device may be established lower than an internal pressure of the fluid-containing layer prior to fluid interconnection therebetween. A fluid retention member and path defining members may be included to facilitate vaporization, vapor diffusion and vapor sorption, thereby enhancing uniform cooling. | 2008-10-16 |
20080255645 | PATCH FOR FACILITATING BLOOD CIRCULATION - A patch for facilitating blood circulation, including a warmer, a powder-containing bag and a base sheet. The warmer includes iron powder for generating heat oxidized by oxygen in the air and an oxidization regulatory agent enclosed in a flat, air permeable bag. The outer shape of the bag is larger than that of the warmer, and contains powder including components contained in bamboo vinegar or wood vinegar. The outer shape of a base sheet is larger than that of the bag, and the base sheet has an air ventilation hole at a central portion. An adhesive layer is formed on the surface of one side of the base sheet. The warmer and the powder-containing bag are sequentially adhered onto the adhesive layer to cover the air ventilation hole. | 2008-10-16 |