52nd week of 2010 patent applcation highlights part 62 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20100331876 | Method and a catheter device for the dynamic regulation of the venous return to the heart for the treatment of patients with heart failure - This invention relates to a method that comprises the introduction of a catheter via left subclavian vein, advancing into the right atrium and then positioning it in the inferior vena cava, just at the cava-diaphragm junction, where it is anchored at its extreme; and thereafter an external inflation of a balloon positioned in said catheter takes place through a physiological solution to reach a diameter corresponding to half the diameter of the inferior vena cava, resulting in hemi-occlusion in the expiration phase (breath-out) and total occlusion for a short period during the inspiration phase (breath-in), regulating (normalizing) the venous return and decreasing the cardiac volume overload, as a treatment for heart failure. The invention also comprises hydromechanics devices to normalize the venous return in the circulatory system. Said venous return is increased in 90% of patients with heart failure. In particular, it refers to a combined catheter with an inflatable balloon, producing said balloon a cyclical occlusion of the inferior vena cava (IVC). The said balloon is adaptable to the area of its location in the inferior vena cava, proximal to the right atrium (RA), which comprises of means for its fixation within said vein, as well as the capacity of modifying the volume in response to the requirements of the patient. This device is implanted for an extended period of more than three months. The final objective is to treat and stop the progression of heart failure. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331877 | AIRFLOW RESTRICTION SYSTEM - Airflow restriction systems are described herein which may be used to treat various disorders by creating expiratory positive airway pressure while providing for patient comfort regardless of the patient's anatomical variances. Such a device may be removably secured externally over the patient's nose rather than within the nasal passages to increase patient comfort. The restriction device may be secured, e.g., via an adhesive, to the patient and actuated via any number of mechanical or electromechanical mechanisms. Moreover, the restriction device may include one or more sensors to detect the patient's respiration activity such that the device may be actuated to correspond to the patient's exhalation and squeeze or otherwise constrict the nasal passages at least partially by pressing against the exterior surface of the nose to restrict the expiratory airflow. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331878 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR REMOVING A BALLOON FROM A BODY CAVITY - A balloon removing device is provided for removing a balloon from a body cavity through an access opening of said body cavity, in particular for removing a balloon of a radiation catheter from a body cavity left by surgical removal of cancerous or other tissue. The balloon removing device has an unstretchable elongated tool extending along a longitudinal axis and having a distal end with a distal opening, a proximal end with a proximal opening and a lumen extending from the distal opening along the longitudinal axis to the proximal opening. The dimensions of the distal opening and the lumen of the elongated tool allow the balloon to be accommodated therein in the deflated state, or the dimensions of the distal opening, the proximal opening and the lumen of the elongated tool are adapted to allow the balloon to be pulled through the lumen in the deflated state. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331879 | Articulating Surgical Hand Tool - A surgical instrument comprising a frame, a control-effector coupled to the frame, a shaft, and an end effector in fluid communication with the control-effector is disclosed. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331880 | Self-Sealing Compositions - Medical devices having a wound closure device and a reinforcing material are reacted in situ to create a self-sealing implant. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331881 | Method And Apparatus For Soft Tissue Fixation To Bone - A bone anchor having a rivet having a proximal end and a head distal to an elongate body, a sleeve having an internal channel for slidably receiving the body, and an expansion nut having a channel therethrough for slidably receiving said body, proximal of said sleeve is provided. The sleeve further has a shoulder provided within the internal channel in the region of the proximal end for engaging the expansion nut. The rivet, sleeve and expansion nut are arranged such that movement of the rivet from a first position to a second position causes the sleeve to cam over the rivet head and expansion nut until said expansion nut engages said shoulder, forcing the sleeve to expand into a wall of a bone hole. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331882 | Anchorless Non-Invasive Force Dissipation System for Orthopedic Instrumentation - An anchorless non-invasive force dissipation device for orthopedic instrumentation including a base having a patient contacting surface, the patient contacting surface including a surface area adapted for external placement on a patient's body, and an instrument alignment mechanism operably connected to and selectively positionable relative to the base, the instrument alignment mechanism adapted to interface with at least one orthopedic instrument, such that forces applied by the orthopedic instrument are dissipated across the surface area of the base with the device being unanchored externally of the patient. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331883 | ACCESS AND TISSUE MODIFICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Described herein are methods and systems for precisely placing and/or manipulating devices within the body by first positioning a guidewire or pullwire through the body from a first location, around a curved pathway, and out of the body through a second location, so that the distal and proximal ends of the guidewire extend from the body, then pulling a device into position using the guidewire. The device to be positioned within the body is coupled to the proximal end of the guidewire, and the device is pulled into the body by pulling on the distal end of the guidewire that extends from the body. The device may be bimanually manipulated by pulling the guidewire distally, and an attachment to the device that extends proximally, allowing control of both the proximal and the distal ends. In this manner devices (and particularly implants such as innerspinous distracters, stimulating leads, and disc slings) may be positioned and/or manipulated within the body. Devices to modify tissue may also be positioned or manipulated so that a target tissue within the body is modified. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331884 | SPINAL CORRECTION TENSIONING SYSTEM - A vertebral column correction system for correcting a spinal deformity without fusing the joint segments is disclosed. The vertebral column correction system may have first and second vertebral anchors secured to first and second vertebrae. The vertebral column correction system may further comprise one or more intermediate vertebral anchors secured to vertebrae between the first and second vertebrae. A connection member may be disposed within a head portion of the vertebral anchors. At least a portion of the connection member may be a flexible member, such as a flexible cord, configured for tensioning between at least two vertebral anchors for providing a desired amount of tension to apply a correctional force to the spinal column. A spring member, or other tensioning member, may maintain the tension of the connection member. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331885 | PERCUTANEOUS SYSTEM FOR DYNAMIC SPINAL STABILIZATION - Bone anchoring assemblies for use with minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques for dynamic stabilization of the spine, together with placement systems for use in such techniques are provided. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331886 | Posterior Dynamic Stabilization Device Having A Mobile Anchor - A posterior dynamic spinal stabilization device utilizing a spinal rod, a fixed anchor, a mobile anchor adapted for both translation and pivoting, a mobile anchor-limiting stop affixed to the rod and an optional bumper-type, a rod with at least one limiting stop. It allows predetermined and prescribed interpedicular motion. It allows the use of traditional pedicle screw-rod placement techniques in a flexible system possessing many treatment options using familiar components that are familiar to the surgeon, and can be used on multiple levels (especially to top off) and can transition loads by limiting displacements. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331887 | Longitudinal connecting member with sleeved tensioned cords - A dynamic fixation medical implant having at least two bone anchors includes a longitudinal connecting member assembly having rigid sleeves for attachment to the bone anchors, at least one spacer engaging the bone anchors and the sleeves, and in some embodiments, an end elastic bumper. A flexible cord is initially slidingly received within the rigid sleeves, the spacer and the bumper. The spacer may include an optional inelastic inner liner, with at least one of the sleeves having an extension slidingly receivable within the liner. Some sleeves include apertures for receiving a closure top portion for locking the cord against the sleeve, or alternatively receiving a closure top that does not extend into the aperture, the slip or grip option provided by the aperture in each sleeve resulting in an overall connector with variable segmental stiffness. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331888 | SPINAL CORRECTION SYSTEM WITH MULTI-STAGE LOCKING MECHANISM - In a rod fixation system of the type used to treat various spinal conditions, the same fastener is used to lock both a polyaxial screw and a rod in position. A spinal correction device according to the invention, adapted for use with a rod and a polyaxial screw having a ball-shaped head and a threaded end, comprises a head-body and a cap. The head-body includes a lower internal cavity to receive the ball-shaped head of the screw, an upper bore to receive a fixation rod therethrough, and an upper end configured to receive the cap. The head-body and the cap are configured such that a first rotation of the cap locks the polyaxial screw in position, and a second rotation of the cap locks the rod in position. In the preferred embodiment, the head-body includes one or more gaps to facilitate flexion of the head-body as a rotational torque is placed on the cap. The gap or gaps may be horizontal, vertical or other angles relative to the axis of the entrapped rod. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331889 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DYNAMIC FIXATION OF SKELETAL STRUCTURE - The disclosed screw assemblies include a screw that attaches onto the bone, a housing member that connects and inter-locks the bone screw to the rod, and one or more locking members that permit immobilization of various components of the assembly relative to one another while still permitting some relative movement. The bone screws and bone screw assemblies described herein permit flexible stabilization of the spine. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331890 | Flexible spinal stabilization system and method - Devices, methods and systems for stabilizing at least a portion of the spinal column are provided. Devices include anchors and coupling members for engaging an elongate member. Systems include an elongate member sized to span a distance between at least two vertebral bodies and being at least partially formed of a flexible material. A number of anchors and coupling members are used to secure the elongate member to each of the vertebral bodies. The anchors can be compressed towards one another and the elongate member secured thereto and/or the elongate member can be tensioned to provide corrective forces to the spine. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331891 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SPINAL FIXATION - A system and method of bone fixation are provided for improving the bone growth and stability of the fixated bones. For example, a target site for a bone fixation procedure can be accessed at a facet of a first vertebra using a tissue dilator. Bone material can be disrupting from or at the target site, and a bone fixation device can be installed to fix the first vertebra relative to a second vertebra. The disruption and/or removal of the bone material, such as by rasping facets or a facet joint of the first vertebra and the second vertebra, can tend to promote bone growth. Further, it is contemplated that bone graft material can be inserted at the target site, such as into a joint space formed between facets of the first vertebra and the second vertebra. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331892 | BONE REPAIR SYSTEM AND METHOD - A bone repair system and method for percutaneously fixing a first bone segment to a second bone segment, such as rib bone segments, in a body of a patient include drilling a first hole through the first bone segment and a second hole through the second bone segment, and feeding a first tether through the first hole and a second tether through the second hole, each tether having a proximal end and a distal end. The first and second tether distal ends are withdrawn from the body while the first and second tether proximal ends have not passed through the first and second bone segments, respectively. A reinforcing member, such as a bone plate, having first and second openings, is passed onto the first and second tether distal ends, and the reinforcing member is pulled into engagement with the first and second bone segments guided by the tethers. The reinforcing member is secured to the first bone segment with a first fastener assembly through the first hole and the first opening and to the second bone segment with a second fastener assembly through the second hole and the second opening to fix the first bone segment to the second bone segment. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331893 | K-Wire And Method For Surgical Procedures - A surgical guide wire or K-wire and method of use are provided. The K-wire or guide wire has opposite end portions and a shank portion in between. One end portion has a deformable end portion that, once outside of a confining guide passage, can be deformed to present a projected forward facing area that is larger than the transverse cross section of the K-wire or guide wire while in the passage. The increased area will provide increased resistance to additional forward axial movement into the surgical site. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331894 | ORTHOPEDIC SCREW FOR MEASURING A PARAMETER OF THE MUSCULARSKELETAL SYSTEM - A dual-mode closed-loop measurement system ( | 2010-12-30 |
20100331895 | OSTEOSYNTHETIC DEVICE - The osteosynthetic device for the fixation of a bone or bone fragments has a longitudinal axis ( | 2010-12-30 |
20100331896 | Device for Anchoring a Tissue in a Bone - It is a device ( | 2010-12-30 |
20100331897 | SURGICAL BONE ANCHORING DEVICE AND SPINAL COLUMN FIXATION SYSTEM - A bone anchoring device for a spinal column fixation system includes an anchoring part, a bearing part for mounting at least one connection element thereon and a fixing element. The connection element is adapted for fixing to at least two bone anchoring devices. The anchoring part and the bearing part are mounted on each other, movable relative to each other in an assembly position and fixable relative to each other by the fixing element in an implantation position. The fixing element is of integral construction and has a proximal fixing element section, a distal fixing element section and a predetermined break-off area formed between the proximal and distal fixing element sections. The distal fixing element section has a receptacle for engagement with a tool for transferring the bone anchoring device from the assembly position to the implantation position. The device may be part of an improved spinal column fixation system. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331898 | BONE ANCHOR SYSTEM - A bone anchor system anchors a support member to a bone. The bone anchor system comprises a body having a shank adapted for insertion into a hole in the bone. A head is formed on the shank. The head has a support engagement portion adapted to secure the support member to the body. A passage extends from an entry point to an exit point formed in the body. An expandable member has a flexible wall at least partially enclosing an anchoring chamber. The expandable member has an expanded state configured to conform to a cavity in the bone. The anchoring chamber is in fluid communication with the exit point. The expandable member is adapted to expand when a filler material is provided into the anchoring chamber. A portion of the expandable member conforms to the cavity and the body and the support member are substantially anchored to the bone. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331899 | Surgical screw cartridge system for rapidly and accurately loading surgical screws onto a driver - A surgical screw cartridge system apparatus and method is provided wherein the cartridge has a body for storing a plurality of surgical screws. A spring-biased plunger is positioned within the body for presenting the surgical screws head first to a driver. A tab within the body prevents removal of the surgical screws from the body in absence of a screwdriver. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331900 | SURGICAL TOOLS FOR TREATMENT OF SPINAL STENOSIS - Described herein are pullwire handle devices for securing to a tissue-penetrating pullwire. In some embodiments, the device includes a handle body, a pullwire lock configured to removably lock the pullwire handle device onto a pullwire within the handle body, and a tip containment element configured to retain the distal tip of the pullwire. In some embodiments, the handle body further comprises a storage chamber configured to store a distal portion of the pullwire. Also described herein are methods for capturing a pullwire using a pullwire handle device. In some embodiments, the method includes the steps of inserting the distal end of a pullwire into the pullwire handle device, advancing the pullwire further into the pullwire handle device while the distal portion of the pullwire is contained within the pullwire handle device, and locking the distal portion of the pullwire within the pullwire handle device. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331901 | Percutaneous Vertebral Stabilization System - The present invention relates to a system for percutaneously installing a vertebral stabilization system. A first anchor is positionable within a body of a patient through a first percutaneous opening and a second anchor is positionable within a body of a patient through a second percutaneous opening. A stabilization member is positionable within the body of a patient through the first percutaneous opening to engage and connect the first and second anchors. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331902 | Hip file carrier with a movable jaw - File carrier which is intended to carry a file for filing bone of the medullary canal of the femur; a fixed jaw and a movable jaw are arranged at the distal end of the intermediate portion and there are provided means which are intended to control the movement of the movable jaw relative to the fixed jaw between a closed state in which the file is fixed in position on the file carrier and an open state in which the file is released from the file carrier; the position of the movable jaw in the open state is displaced in the mediolateral direction relative to the position of the movable jaw in the closed state. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331903 | HEART SOUND SENSING TO REDUCE INAPPROPRIATE TACHYARRHYTHMIA THERAPY - Techniques for detecting heart sounds to reduce inappropriate tachyarrhythmia therapy are described. In some examples, a medical device determines that a cardiac rhythm of the patient is treatable with a therapy, such as a defibrillation pulse, based on a cardiac electrogram (EGM). The medical device analyzes detected heart sounds, and withholds or allows the therapy based on the analysis of the heart sounds. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331904 | Adaptive Confirmation of Treatable Arrhythmia in Implantable Cardiac Stimulus Devices - Methods and devices for adjusting therapy delivery decisions in an implantable cardiac stimulus device by observing cardiac activity following an initial identification of a treatable condition. In some examples, cardiac activity that appears benign is quantified and a therapy confirmation threshold is adjusted according to how much apparently benign cardiac activity is seen after an initial identification of a treatable condition. In other examples, a new threshold is applied following the initial identification of treatable condition, removing historical data preceding the initial identification from subsequent therapy delivery decisions. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331905 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLOSED-LOOP CONTROL OF ANTI-TACHYARRHYTHMIA PACING USING HEMODYNAMIC SENSOR - A cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system includes an implantable medical device that delivers anti-tachyarrhythmia therapies including anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing (ATP) and a hemodynamic sensor that senses a hemodynamic signal. The implantable medical device includes a hemodynamic sensor-controlled closed-loop ATP system that uses the hemodynamic signal for ATP capture verification. When ATP pulses are delivered according to a selected ATP protocol to terminate a tachyarrhythmia episode, the implantable medical device performs the ATP capture verification by detecting an effective cardiac contraction from the hemodynamic signal. The ATP protocol is adjusted using an outcome of the ATP capture verification. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331906 | ANODAL EXCITATION OF TISSUE - A cardiac stimulation device has a plurality of electrodes that deliver therapeutic electrical stimulation to the heart. At least one electrode is designated a cathode that cathodically induces depolarization of the surrounding heart tissue. At least one electrode is designated an anode. The device is configured, through one or more of electrode size, electrode configuration, electrode arrangement, cathode/anode number and pulse delivery circuitry, to induce depolarization of the heart tissue in the area of the at least one anode electrode, thereby resulting in greater depolarization of the heart tissue with reduced power consumption. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331907 | HEART TREATMENT DEVICE - Provided is a heart treatment device ( | 2010-12-30 |
20100331908 | SUBCARDIAC THRESHOLD VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION - In one embodiment, an implantable stimulation apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold of a heart, and an electrode coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator which is configured to transmit the electrical pulses below the cardiac threshold, to a vagal nerve so as to inhibit injury resulting from an ischemia and/or reduce injury resulting from an ischemia. In another embodiment, an implantable stimulation apparatus includes a vagal nerve stimulator configured to generate electrical pulses below a cardiac threshold, and includes an electrode, which is coupled to the vagal nerve stimulator and configured transmit electrical pulses to a vagal nerve so as to reduce a defibrillation threshold of the heart. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331909 | ANTI-ARRHYTHMIA IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An implantable medical device has a detector for detecting an arrhythmia event of a subject's heart and generating an arrhythmia signal based on the detected event. An impedance determining unit determines impedance data representative of blood aggregation level of blood present in a cavity, such as heart chamber, of the subject. An anti-arrhythmia unit of the device is arranged for applying electric anti-arrhythmia treatment to at least a portion of the heart. This unit is conditionally operable based on the arrhythmia signal and the impedance data. The risk blood aggregates and clots obstructing blood vessels following anti-arrhythmia treatment is significant reduces by conditioning the treatment based on the aggregation level representing impedance data. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331910 | ELECTRICAL STIMULATION UNIT AND WATERBATH SYSTEM - A method and apparatus for treating an appendage of a subject. The apparatus provides for exposing the appendage to an aqueous solution; and providing a pulsed current to the aqueous solution to treat the appendage. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331911 | System for Dissociation and Removal of Proteinaceous Tissue - An apparatus and method for the dissociation of soft proteinaceous tissue using pulsed rapid variable direction energy field flow fractionization is disclosed. The pulsed rapid disruptive energy field is created by the use of a probe which surrounds the soft proteinaceous tissue to be removed. Once the adhesive mechanism between tissue constituents has been compromised, fluidic techniques are used to remove the dissociated tissue. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331912 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR VISUAL STIMULATION - A device and method for providing stimulation signals that reset the phase of the neuronal activity of neurons in a patient's brain. The device includes a control unit; and a stimulation unit that has a plurality of stimulation elements, and each stimulation element generates visual stimulation signals that reset the phase of the neuronal activity of the neurons when the signals are taken up via an eye of a patient and transmitted to neurons that are exhibiting a pathologically synchronous and oscillatory neuronal activity. The control unit is further capable of actuating the stimulation unit such that the stimulation elements generate the visual stimulation signals with a time offset in respect to one another and/or with differing phase and/or with differing polarity. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331913 | Hybrid multi-function electrode array - A hybrid electrode array includes a basal array section and a distal array section. The basal array section is configured to provide high frequency stimulation. The basal array section is configured to extend into the cochlea up to a region where electrical stimulation provides recovery for high frequency loss. The distal array section is configured to be attached to a distal tip of the basal array section and is configured to extend into the cochlear to a region where electrical stimulation provides recovery for middle to low frequency hearing loss. For progressive hearing loss treatment, the distal array section is not activated during initial stages of hearing loss allowing the patient to rely on a combination of acoustic stimulation and high frequency stimulation provided by the basal array section. As hearing loss progresses, the distal array section is selectively activated to treat lower frequency hearing loss using lower frequency stimulation. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331914 | ACOUSTIC ACTIVATION OF COMPONENTS OF AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A power source of an implantable medical device (IMD) is connected to one or more components that perform various functions of the IMD via an acoustic switching circuit. The acoustic switching circuit may include one or more switches that when open disconnect the one or more components from the power source and when closed connect the one or more components to the power source to activate the one or more components. Various techniques for connecting the components to the power source are described. These techniques aim to reduce the likelihood of inadvertently connecting the power source to the one or more components in response to acoustical signals from a source of interference. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331915 | ACOUSTIC ACTIVATION OF COMPONENTS OF AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A power source of an implantable medical device (IMD) is connected to one or more components that perform various functions of the IMD via an acoustic switching circuit. The acoustic switching circuit may include one or more switches that when open disconnect the one or more components from the power source and when closed connect the one or more components to the power source to activate the one or more components. Various techniques for connecting the components to the power source are described. These techniques aim to reduce the likelihood of inadvertently connecting the power source to the one or more components in response to acoustical signals from a source of interference. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331916 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ACQUIRING PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA DURING TISSUE STIMULATION PROCEDURE - A method and system of providing therapy to a patient implanted with an array of electrodes is provided. A train of electrical stimulation pulses is conveyed within a stimulation timing channel between a group of the electrodes to stimulate neural tissue, thereby providing continuous therapy to the patient. Electrical parameter is sensed within a sensing timing channel using at least one of the electrodes, wherein the first stimulation timing channel and sensing timing channel are coordinated, such that the electrical parameter is sensed during the conveyance of the pulse train within time slots that do not temporally overlap any active phase of the stimulation pulses. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331917 | MOLDABLE CHARGER WITH SUPPORT MEMBERS FOR CHARGING AN IMPLANTABLE PULSE GENERATOR - Electrical energy is transcutaneously transmitted from an external charger to an implanted medical device. The external charger includes a charging head that is selectively shaped to conform to the surface of a patient to enhance charge efficiency and patient comfort. The charging head has a plurality of malleable support members extending through the charging head for affixing the flexible charging head in the selected shape, while the flexible charging head conforms to the surface of the patient. The charging head may also include one or more sensors for determining the shape of a charging coil in the charging head, which cause the charge of the coil to be adjusted based on the coil shape. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331918 | MOLDABLE CHARGER WITH CURABLE MATERIAL FOR CHARGING AN IMPLANTABLE PULSE GENERATOR - Electrical energy is transcutaneously transmitted from an external charger to an implanted medical device. The external charger includes a charging head comprising a flexible material that is selectively shaped to conform to the surface of a patient to enhance charge efficiency and patient comfort. The flexible material is curable to become inflexible and embody a fixed shape and may comprise, for example, a thermoplastic for being re-shaped and re-cured multiple times, or a thermoset plastic that maintains a permanent shape and cannot be re-cured to form another shape. The charging head may also include one or more sensors for determining the shape of a charging coil in the charging head, which cause the charge of the coil to be adjusted based on the coil shape. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331919 | MOLDABLE CHARGER HAVING HINGED SECTIONS FOR CHARGING AN IMPLANTABLE PULSE GENERATOR - Electrical energy is transcutaneously transmitted from an external charger to an implanted medical device. The external charger includes a charging head comprising a plurality of pivotable hinged sections for selectively shaping the charging head to conform to a surface of a patient. The external charger further includes an alternating current (AC) charging coil housed in the charging head for transcutaneously transmitting electrical energy to the implanted medical device. The charging head may also include one or more sensors for determining the shape of a charging coil in the charging head, which cause the charge of the coil to be adjusted based on the coil shape. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331920 | MOLDABLE CHARGER WITH SHAPE-SENSING MEANS FOR AN IMPLANTABLE PULSE GENERATOR - Electrical energy is transcutaneously transmitted from an external charger to an implanted medical device. The external charger includes a charging head that is selectively shapeable to conform to the surface of a patient to enhance charge efficiency and patient comfort. An alternating current charging coil is housed in the charging head and configured for transcutaneously transmitting electrical energy to the implanted medical device. The shape of the coil is changeable as the charging head is shaped, and at least one sensor determines changes in the shape of the charging coil and causes the charge of the coil to be adjusted based on the coil shape. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331921 | NEUROSTIMULATION DEVICE AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING SAME - A stimulation device that includes a housing, a neuro lead configured to be coupled to the housing and to be located proximate to a neurostimulation site of interest, a neuro pulse generator, in the housing, configured to generate multi-polar neuro modulation (NM) pulses for delivery by the lead to the neuromodulation site of interest and the neuro pulse generator generating the NM pulses utilizing a waveform, with the frequency components of the ICMD compatible waveform in a range of 0 to 225 Hz having substantially limited NM energy content to avoid interference with sensing operation of the ICMD. A method for managing a neuromodulation (NM) device to avoid interference with an implantable medical device (ICMD) providing an ICMD having electrodes configured based on ICMD sensing parameters that define an ICMD sensing frequency range, providing an NM device having NM electrodes to be located proximate a region of interest, the NM electrodes delivering NM pulses based on NM pulse parameters, setting at least one NM pulse parameter in a manner that limits an amount of NM energy content that propagates beyond an active area surrounding the site of interest within the ICMD sensing frequency range. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331922 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPENSATING FOR SHIFTING OF NEUROSTIMULATION LEADS IN A PATIENT - A method for determining a change in position of a neurostimulation lead relative to a stimulation target tissue of a patient is provided. The method comprises implanting a first proximity sensor on a surface of the patient, implanting a second proximity sensor on the surface of the patient, measuring a change in a distance between the first and second proximity sensors, and inferring the change in position of the lead relative to the stimulation target tissue from the measured change in distance. The method further comprises inferring an increase in a distance between the lead and the stimulation target tissue when the distance between the first and second proximity sensors increases. The method also comprises conveying electrical stimulation energy to therapeutically stimulate the stimulation target tissue, and modulating a stimulation parameter in response to the measured change in distance. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331923 | SYMMETRICAL OUTPUT NEUROSTIMULATION DEVICE - A method and system of providing therapy to a patient using electrodes implanted adjacent tissue. The method comprises regulating a first voltage at an anode of the electrodes relative to the tissue, regulating a second voltage at a cathode of the electrodes relative to the tissue, and conveying electrical stimulation energy between the anode at the first voltage and the cathode at the second voltage, thereby stimulating the neural tissue. The system comprises a grounding electrode configured for being placed in contact with the tissue, electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to the electrodes, a first regulator configured for being electrically coupled between an anode of the electrodes and the grounding electrode, a second regulator configured for being electrically coupled between an anode of the electrodes and the grounding electrode, and control circuitry configured for controlling the regulators to convey electrical stimulation energy between the anode and cathode. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331924 | Implatable medical device connector - Disclosed is an implantable medical device including a connector block that allows varied lead configurations to be used with a single connector block and implantable medical device assembly. The connector block is configured with one or more lead insertion lumens that are open at both ends, such that each end of the lead insertion lumen may receive a separate lead. The circuitry within the implantable medical device is configured to allow the delivery of electrical pulses from a pulse generator within the implantable medical device to two separate leads inserted within opposite ends of a single lead insertion lumen. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331925 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING PERCUTANEOUS NERVE FIELD STIMULATION WITH CONCURRENT ANODE INTENSIFIED SPINAL CORD STIMULATION - A method of providing therapy to a patient comprising sinking first electrical current into at least a first one of a plurality of electrodes adjacent the spinal cord tissue, thereby providing therapy to a first region of the patient. The method further comprises sinking second electrical current into at least one electrode adjacent peripheral tissue remote from the spinal cord tissue, thereby providing therapy to a second region of the patient. The method further comprises sourcing at least a portion of the first electrical current and at least a portion of the second electrical current into at least a second one of the plurality of electrodes. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331926 | REVERSING RECRUITMENT ORDER BY ANODE INTENSIFICATION - A method of providing therapy to a patient using a plurality of electrodes is provided. The electrodes are located adjacent a target neural tissue region having a first nerve fiber of a relatively small diameter and a second nerve fiber of a relatively large diameter. The method comprises sourcing electrical current from a local anode into the target neural tissue region. The method further comprises therapeutically sinking a first portion of the electrical current from the target neural tissue region into a local cathode. The method further comprises sinking a second portion of the electrical current into a cathode remote from the target neural tissue region. The ratio of the sourced electrical current over the first sunk electrical current portion has a value that allows the first nerve fiber to be recruited by the electrical current while preventing the second nerve fiber from being recruited by the electrical current. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331927 | FEEDBACK-CONTROLLED METHOD FOR DELIVERING PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY AND RELATED INSTRUMENTATION - A method for delivering photodynamic therapy (PDT) while performing dose metric monitoring and treatment feedback-driven control is presented. Photodynamic therapy is initiated with irradiation of light at a first irradiance. A set of fluorescence and reflectance spectroscopic measurements are taken at prescribed intervals during the therapy of the treatment region. Spectra are analyzed to determine dose metrics of the therapy such as fluorescence photobleaching of the sensitizer and blood oxygen status and optical properties of the treatment region. This information is then used to determine an optimal fluence rate given those parameters and the region is irradiated with a second irradiance. This process is continued until either the entire prescribed fluence is delivered to the region or a predetermined extent of photosensitizer bleaching is achieved. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331928 | VISIBLE LIGHT MODULATION OF MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTION IN HYPOXIA AND DISEASE - The present invention provides methods of using electromagnetic radiation in the visible portion of the spectrum to modulate mitochondrial function in the treatment of various conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, other dementias, hypoxia and diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and sensory disorders of the extremities. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331929 | APPARATUS FOR SPREADING LIGHT FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES TO ELIMINATE VISIBLE BOUNDARIES THEREBETWEEN, LIGHT THERAPY DEVICES INCLUDING SUCH APPARATUS, AND METHODS - Apparatus for providing substantially uniform illumination with multiple, discrete sources of light include arrays of abutting light spreading elements, such as reflective light pipes or collimation lenses, for substantially eliminating visible boundaries between the sources of light. Methods for generating a substantially uniform field of emission include introducing light into such a spreader array. Light therapy devices including arrays of light spreading elements are also disclosed. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331930 | PHOTOTHERAPY DEVICE - A phototherapy device includes a light source for emitting light of a suitable wavelength and a programmable controller connectable to the light source for controlling the power supplied to the light source. A programming key is associated with the programmable controller for programming the programmable controller to control the power supplied to the light source during use. The controller is programmable to control the operating configurations only when the programming key is in communication with the controller. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331931 | ECTOPARASITE ERADICATION METHOD AND DEVICE - A method of eliminating an ectoparasite infestation is disclosed that may include steps of defining a target area on an animal having an ectoparasite infestation, heating a volume of air to a temperature to form heated air, applying the heated air to the target area with an airflow such that the heated air impinges directly on substantially all ectoparasites located within the target area, and maintaining the heated air at the target area for a period of time sufficient to affect an ectoparasite mortality rate of at least 50%. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331932 | IMPLANTED LEAD SLEEVE HAVING RFID TAG - An identification device for an implantable lead includes an associated implantable sleeve and a radio frequency identification device (RFID) tag associated with the sleeve. The RFID tag includes information relating to the implantable lead, its associated lead system, or an associated implantable medical device. The RFID tag may be hermetically sealed within the sleeve and the sleeve selectively fixed along a length of the lead. The sleeve may comprise a loop forming an aperture, a crimped clamp device, a clamp device including a ratchet, clip, or rivet mechanism, or a clamp device including two separate clamshells, all of which allow for secure attachment to the lead. Alternatively, the sleeve may integrally be formed as part of the lead between a lead conductor and an insulated lumen. An external interrogator may be used for identifying information contained within the RFID tag. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331933 | MICROSTIMULATOR WITH FLAP ELECTRODES - An implantable microstimulator includes an elongate casing, a flap coupled directly to the casing, and electrodes attached to the flap such that the electrodes extend laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the casing. The electrodes are coupled to active circuitry that is housed within the casing. Due to the lateral arrangement of the electrodes relative to the casing, effective operation of the microstimulator may still occur even after the microstimulator migrates away from the target stimulation site. Since there are not any leads associated with the microstimulator, the entire microstimulator, including the electrodes and the casing, is implanted adjacent to the target stimulation site. The electrodes may be configured for mono-polar or multi-polar stimulation. In one example, the microstimulator includes an insulative coating on the casing and the coating and the flap are contiguous. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331934 | MULTI-ELEMENT CONTACT ASSEMBLIES FOR ELECTRICAL STIMULATION SYSTEMS AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING - An implantable lead includes a lead body having a plurality of electrodes disposed on a distal end of the lead body, a plurality of terminals disposed on a proximal end of the lead body, and a plurality of conductors disposed along the lead body such that each conductor electrically couples at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals. At least one of the electrodes or terminals includes a multi-element contact assembly. The multi-element contact assembly includes at least one conductive inner element and at least one conductive outer element disposed over the inner element. At least one of the plurality of conductors is electrically coupled to one of the multi-element contact assemblies such that the conductor is positioned against the at least one inner element. The at least one outer element includes a region that is in contact with the at least one inner element. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331935 | Rigid Spine Reinforced Polymer Microelectrode Array Probe and Method of Fabrication - A rigid spine-reinforced microelectrode array probe and fabrication method. The probe includes a flexible elongated probe body with conductive lines enclosed within a polymeric material. The conductive lines connect microelectrodes found near an insertion end of the probe to respective leads at a connector end of the probe. The probe also includes a rigid spine, such as made from titanium, fixedly attached to the probe body to structurally reinforce the probe body and enable the typically flexible probe body to penetrate and be inserted into tissue, such as neural tissue. By attaching or otherwise fabricating the rigid spine to connect to only an insertion section of the probe body, an integrally connected cable section of the probe body may remain flexible. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331936 | MEDICAL DEVICE LEAD INCLUDING A UNIFILAR COIL WITH IMPROVED TORQUE TRANSMISSION CAPACITY AND REDUCED MRI HEATING - A conductor assembly for a medical device lead includes a helically coiled conductor including a plurality of turns having a coil pitch and an outer diameter and consisting of one filar having a filar diameter. The coil pitch and outer diameter are selected based on the filar diameter to minimize heating of the helically coiled conductor in the presence of an MRI field. A polymer sheath is formed about the helically coiled conductor such that the coil pitch of the unifilar helically coiled conductor is maintained. The polymer sheath is configured to increase a torque transmitting capacity of the helically coiled conductor. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331937 | ACTIVE FIXATION LEAD WITH HELIX SECUREMENT MECHANISM - An implantable lead may have a distal assembly including a coupler and a fixation helix secured to the coupler. The coupler may include a helical groove that is configured to accommodate the fixation helix. The helical groove may facilitate attaching the fixation helix to the coupler by threading the fixation helix into the helical groove. A weld may provide a secondary attachment between the fixation helix and the coupler. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331938 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE LEAD - An implantable lead including a lead body including an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one electrode; an electrically insulating member that extends axially over a first portion of the outer surface of the lead body between the proximal end and distal end, the electrically insulating member defining at least one aperture that exposes a first portion of the at least one electrode when in a first position over the lead body; and a reinforcement member formed at least partially of a different material than the insulating member and coupled to the insulating member, the reinforcement member extending axially over the outer surface of the lead body between the insulating member and proximal end. The reinforcement member may be configured to transfer at least one of a radial or axial force from a proximal portion of the reinforcement member to the insulating member, wherein the at least one of radial or axial force transferred to the insulating member is sufficient to move the insulating member over the outer surface of the lead body. In some examples, the lead may further include a deployable lobe member configured to anchor the reinforcement member and insulating member adjacent a tissue site within a patient. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331939 | Device for intracavity stimulation of the left atrium and/or ventricle through atrial transseptal puncture and removal of the catheter proximal end by the retrograde venous route toward the prepectoral region - This invention relates to a device for intracavity stimulation of the left atrium and/or ventricle from the prepectoral region through a less invasive and lower-risk approach that allows the implantation of an intracavity catheter in the left cardiac chambers through atrial transseptal puncture, and the removal of the catheter proximal end by the retrograde venous route. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331940 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD CONFIGURED FOR IMPROVED MRI SAFETY AND HEATING REDUCTION PERFORMANCE - An implantable medical lead configured for improved MRI safety and heating reduction performance is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the lead includes a tubular body having a proximal end and a distal end with a lead connector near the proximal end. In this embodiment the lead further includes a conductor extending longitudinally within the tubular body and having a proximal end that is electrically coupled to the connector and a distal end electrically coupled to a contact pin. The lead in this embodiment further includes a filter element electrically coupled to a distal end of the contact pin and a flange electrically coupled between a proximal end of the filter element and a proximal portion of an electrode. In this embodiment the flange and the proximal portion of the electrode form at least a first part of a hermetic chamber enclosing the filter element. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331941 | Implantable fine wire lead for electrostimulation and sensing - A cardiac pacemaker or other implantable electrostimulation device has one or more durable fine wire leads to the heart or other electrostimulation site. The lead is formed of a core of silica or glass fiber or similar material, with a protective coating preferably including a metal buffer for conduction. The lead can be unipolar or bipolar (or even with three or more conductors), of small diameter and preferably with an anchoring configuration at the distal end of the lead. The anchor feature can take any of several nonlinear forms such that once implanted in a constrained configuration, the anchor can be released to the expanded, nonlinear configuration. The electrostimulation leads of the invention are extremely durable, can be bent through small radii and can exhibit long life without fatigue failure. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331942 | MRI COMPATIBLE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - An implantable medical lead is disclosed herein. The implantable medical lead may include a body including an electrical insulation tube, a distal portion with an electrode, and a proximal portion with a lead connector end. The electrical insulation tube may be coaxial with a longitudinally extending center axis of the body. The lead may also include an electrical pathway extending between the electrode and lead connector end, the electrical pathway including an inductor comprising an electrical conductor helically wound directly on an outer circumferential surface of the insulation tube. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331943 | EXTENDABLE/RETRACTABLE LEAD WITH IMPROVED DISTAL SEAL - An implantable lead may have a distal assembly including a coupler, a fixation helix secured to the coupler and a housing in which the fixation helix and the coupler are disposed. The distal assembly may include an annular seal that is disposed between the coupler and the housing and that provides an at least substantially fluid-tight seal between the coupler and the housing. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331944 | ELECTRODE ARRANGEMENT WITH A STIMULATION ELECTRODE FOR THE LEFT VENTRICLE - An electrode arrangement has a stimulation electrode ( | 2010-12-30 |
20100331945 | APPARATUS FOR TREATING GERD COMPRISING A STIMULATION DEVICE - The present invention relates to a reflux disease treatment apparatus, apparatus, comprising an implantable movement restriction device that maintains cardia in the correct position and an implantable stimulation device adapted to engage with the cardia sphincter of a patient. The invention further comprises a control device for controlling the stimulation device to stimulate the cardia sphincter. The invention can be combined with various methods for treating obesity, in particular methods that creats satiety by stretching the wall of the stomach or fills out a volume of the stomach. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331946 | SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ARTICLES WITH IMPROVED FATIGUE PERFORMANCE AND METHODS THEREFORE - Articles made of shape memory alloys having improved fatigue performance and to methods of treating articles formed from shape memory alloy materials by pre-straining the articles (or desired portions of the articles) in a controlled manner so that the resultant articles exhibit improved fatigue performance. The shape memory articles are preferably medical devices, more preferably implantable medical devices. They are most preferably devices of nitinol shape memory alloy, most particularly that is superelastic at normal body temperature. The pre-straining method of the present invention as performed on such articles includes the controlled introduction of non-recoverable tensile strains greater than about 0.20% at the surface of a desired portion of a shape memory alloy article. Controlled pre-straining operations are performed on the shape-set nitinol metal to achieve non-recoverable tensile strain greater than about 0.20% at or near the surface of selected regions in the nitinol metal article. The pre-straining operations result in a significant increase in fatigue life of the selectively treated regions and an overall improvement in the fatigue performance of the device. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331947 | Inflatable Medical Device - A medical device comprising a compartment capable of receiving and holding a substance in a liquid form is disclosed. The compartment is inflatable from a deflated state to an inflated state, such that when the compartment is in the deflated state, the outer wall of the membrane is substantially impermeable to the substance, and when the compartment is in the inflated state, the substance is allowed to permeate through the outer wall. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331948 | IMPLANT DELIVERY APPARATUS AND METHODS WITH ELECTROLYTIC RELEASE - Implant release apparatus includes a connector connecting a lead having an electrolytically erodible portion and a restraint that restrains the implant. In one embodiment, the connector can include or comprise a nonconductive member. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331949 | STENTS, DEVICES FOR USE WITH STENTS AND METHODS RELATING THERETO - A removable stent ( | 2010-12-30 |
20100331950 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING A STENT TO A SELECTED POSITION WITHIN A LUMEN - Method for delivering a stent coupled with a catheter, to a selected position within a lumen of the body of a patient, the method includes the procedures of: selecting a single image of the lumen, among a plurality of images of an image sequence of the lumen, receiving a position input associated with the selected image and respective of the selected position, the position input is defined in a coordinate system respective of a medical positioning system (MPS), detecting the current position of the stent in the coordinate system, according to position data acquired by an MPS sensor attached to the catheter in the vicinity of the stent, superimposing on at least one maneuvering associated image of the lumen, at least one stent representation respective of the current position, and at least one marking representation respective of the position input, according to a real-time organ timing signal of an inspected organ of the body, maneuvering the catheter through the lumen, toward the selected position, according to the current position relative to the position input, and producing an output when the current position substantially matches the selected position. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331951 | STENT DELIVERY CATHETER SYSTEM AND METHOD OF IMPLANTING A SELF-EXPANDING STENT WITH EMBOLIC PROTECTION - A catheter system and method for implanting an endoprosthesis such as a stent at a treatment site in a patient's body lumen. The catheter provides a complete system for stent delivery, dilatation, and delivery and/or recovery of an expandable device, such as an embolic protection device, adjacent to the treatment site in the body lumen. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331952 | METHOD FOR FILTERING EMBOLIC MATERIAL - The method comprises the steps of advancing a guidewire from a first intermediate location to a further intermediate location which is proximal of the treatment location and, subsequently, advancing a medical device over the guidewire toward the further intermediate location. The method may comprise repeating these steps for additional intermediate locations. In one case the treatment location is in the carotid artery. The treatment location may be at or adjacent to the carotid bifurcation. An intermediate location may be at or adjacent to the aortic arch. An intermediate location may be at or adjacent to the carotid take-off. The medical device may be delivered over the guidewire using a delivery catheter. The delivery catheter and the medical device may be advanced through the vasculature without the use of a guide catheter. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331953 | STENT DELIVERY DEVICE - A stent delivery device includes a distal-side tube having a guide wire lumen; a proximal-side tube whose distal portion is fixed to a proximal portion of the distal-side tube; a cylindrical member which encloses a distal side of the distal-side tube and is slidable toward a proximal end of the distal-side tube; a stent accommodated in the cylindrical member; and a pulling member | 2010-12-30 |
20100331954 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - A medical device includes a balloon catheter having an expandable member, e.g., an inflatable balloon, at its distal end and a stent or other endoprosthesis. The stent is, for example, an apertured tubular member formed of a polymer and is assembled about the balloon. The stent has an initial diameter for delivery into the body and can be expanded to a larger diameter by inflating the balloon. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331955 | ROLLING MEMBRANE STENT DELIVERY SYSTEM - A medical device delivery system, having a rolling retractable sheath covering a medical device mounting region on the system is disclosed. The rolling retractable sheath comprises an inner wall and an outer wall and may be formed of one or more materials, optionally porous. Optionally, a lubricant maybe applied selectively to the interior and exterior walls of the stent. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331956 | ENDOLUMINAL EXPANSION SYSTEM - An endoprosthesis expansion system having, in combination, a delivery component such as a length of catheter tubing having at its distal end an intermediate sheath component, and an inner tube within the full length of the delivery catheter and intermediate sheath component. The inner tube has a protrusion affixed to its distal end, and an expandable endoprosthesis is fitted in a compacted state about the intermediate sheath, immediately proximal to the protrusion. If the endoprosthesis is a self-expanding endoprosthesis (as is preferred), an exterior constraining sheath is required around the outer surface of the endoprosthesis. Following insertion of the endoprosthesis and delivery system into a body conduit (such as a blood vessel) and transport of the endoprosthesis to the desired site within the body conduit, the endoprosthesis is deployed by axially moving the protrusion against the system, thereby applying a radially directed outward force and causing simultaneous dilatation of the intermediate sheath and disruption of the exterior constraining sheath. Disruption of the exterior constraining sheath, in the case of a self-expanding prosthesis, releases the stored energy in the formerly constrained prosthesis, allowing it to expand and accomplish full deployment against the luminal surface of the body conduit at the desired site. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331957 | IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - The invention provides an implantable medical device comprising a fibrous polymer body comprising a plurality of electrospun poly(urethane) fibers, a support filament wrapped around the body, an outer layer around the filament for adhering the filament to the body, the outer layer comprising a plurality of electrospun poly(urethane) fibers, and a polymer primer coating at least the fibers of the body. The polymer primer comprises poly(lactide) and is attached to a heparin residue through a link. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331958 | HINGED ENDOVASCULAR DEVICE - A hinged endovascular device including a first stent portion having a first proximal end and a first distal end and a second stent portion having a second proximal end and a second distal end. A hinge assembly couples the first distal end and the second proximal end to each other. A method of inserting the device into a body lumen is also disclosed. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331959 | METHOD OF RADIALLY EXPANDING A TUBULAR ELEMENT - The invention relates to a method of radially expanding a tubular element extending into a wellbore formed in an earth formation, the tubular element including a first layer and a second layer extending around the first layer, said layers being separable from each other. The method comprises inducing each layer to bend radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element, wherein each layer has a respective bending zone in which the bending occurs, and increasing the length of the expanded tubular section by inducing the respective bending zones of the layers to move in an axial direction relative to the remaining tubular section. The layers in the respective bending zones are separate from each other so as to define an axial space between the layers. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331960 | ENDOPROSTHESIS AND ENDOPROSTHESIS DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD - An endoprosthesis includes a structure which is self-expandable from a reduced profile to an expanded profile. The structure has one or more longitudinal portions and a transverse central plane about which the one or more longitudinal portions are symmetric. A removable sheath retains the one or more longitudinal portions in the reduced profile. A release structure is coupled to the sheath for removal thereof from the one or more longitudinal portions to provide the self-expansion thereof to the expanded profile. A method for implanting the endoprosthesis into a body of a patient includes inserting the structure which is covered by the sheath into the body of the patient such that the structure has the reduced profile. The release structure is then actuated for removing the sheath from the one or more longitudinal portions to provide the self-expansion to the expanded profile. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331961 | STENT WITH IMPROVED STENT DESIGN - An example embodiment of the invention is an expandable stent comprising a tubular base body with a lumen along a longitudinal axis, wherein the base body has a plurality of circumferential support structures which are successively positioned along the longitudinal axis and are each composed of a sequence of diagonal elements and arched elements, and has one or more connectors, wherein two successive circumferential support structures are joined together by at least one connector, and each connector is attached to one diagonal element of the two circumferential support structures to be connected; characterized in that a diagonal element to which a connector is attached has an elongated shape with two opposite ends, i) wherein the diagonal element at its first end has a branching point with a diameter d | 2010-12-30 |
20100331962 | ENDOPROTHESIS STENT DELIVERY SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - An endoprothesis deployment system includes an axial catheter, an outer sheath extending parallel to the axial catheter, and an inner sheath positioned transversely between the axial catheter and outer sheath, the inner sheath including first and second inner sheath sections extending along the axial catheter, each of said first and said second inner sheath sections mounted for axial movement relative to the other inner sheath section. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331963 | Method of Making Suture-Less Hollow Scaffolds - A method of making a hollow organ tissue engineering scaffold for repairing organs. Specifically, the hollow organ tissue engineering scaffold is made from a nonwoven fabric having first and second biocompatible materials, wherein the first material has a lower melting temperature than the first, and the first material is at least partially melted to form the scaffolds. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331964 | Ex Vivo Remodeling of Excised Blood Vessels for Vascular Grafts - The present invention provides an ex vivo vascular remodeling methods and system by which an excised, small diameter blood vessel can be harvested and expanded to provide viable vascular grafts, as demonstrated at the physical and molecular levels, and as optimized in vivo. The tissue-engineered vessels generated by the present invention closely resemble native vessels in terms of structure, histologically, including endothelial coverage and intricate structural components such as the internal elastic lamina, viability (as measured with MTT assay and TUNEL analysis), and function (vasoactivity, mechanical and biomechanical properties). Thus, the resulting vascular grafts behave in a manner similar to native arteries in terms of mechanical integrity, and provide clinically relevant patency rates when implanted in vivo. Moreover, the ex vivo methods and system permit the precise control of the mechanical environment involving the excised vessel, while at the same time permitting carefully monitoring of the resulting growth/remodeling, thereby opening new avenues of research regarding the mechanical stimuli responsible for specific aspects of remodeling in vivo. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331965 | COATED DEVICES AND METHOD OF MAKING COATED DEVICES THAT REDUCE SMOOTH MUSCLE CELL PROLIFERATION AND PLATELET ACTIVITY - The present invention relates generally to the maintenance of blow flood using drug eluting stents and/or other coated medical devices to increased length of time of blood flow. Further, the present invention relates to drug-releasing coated devices for reducing smooth muscle cell proliferation and platelet activity to further limit restenosis utilizing resveratrol and quercetin, polyphenols that are linked to the cardioprotection of red wine consumption. The present invention also provides products and methods for treating or preventing atherosclerosis, stenosis, restenosis, smooth muscle cell proliferation, platelet cell activation and other clotting mechanisms, occlusive disease, or other abnormal lumenal cellular proliferation condition in a location within the body of a patient. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331966 | BIOCORRODIBLE IMPLANT HAVING AN ACTIVE COATING - One embodiment of the invention relates to an implant having a basic body composed of a biocorrodible material and having an active coating or filling of a cavity, consisting of or containing the components
| 2010-12-30 |
20100331967 | MEDICATED STENT HAVING MULTI-LAYER POLYMER COATING - This invention relates to stents having medicated multi-layer hybrid polymer coatings, useful for the treatment of stenosed vasculature or other body passages. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331968 | Zeolites for Delivery of Nitric Oxide - There is described zeolites containing releasably adsorbed nitric oxide, methods of preparing the zeolites, methods of releasing the nitric oxide into a solution or into air and uses of the zeolites in therapy. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331969 | BIOBENEFICIAL COATING COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THEREOF - A biobeneficial coating composition for coating an implantable device, such as a drug eluting stent, a method of coating the device with the composition, an implantable device coated with the composition, and a method of treating a disorder are provided. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331970 | Compounds and Methods for the Prevention or Treatment of Restenosis - A method for the prophylaxis or treatment of restenosis comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of Annexin A5 or a functional analogue or variant thereof to a patient in need of such treatment. A method for the treatment of stenosis in a patient comprising performing an intervention for the treatment of stenosis in conjunction with administering a therapeutically effective amount of Annexin A5 or a functional analogue or variant thereof. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of Annexin A5 or a functional analogue or variant thereof for the prophylaxis or treatment of restenosis. A drug eluting stent, wherein the drug is Annexin A5 or a functional analogue or variant thereof, and a method of making such a stent. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331971 | Cardiac Valve Downsizing Device And Method - A device for repairing a heart valve comprises a medical device ( | 2010-12-30 |
20100331972 | Unitary Quick Connect Prosthetic Heart Valve and Deployment System and Methods - A quick-connect heart valve prosthesis that can be quickly and easily implanted during a surgical procedure is provided. The heart valve includes a substantially non-expandable, non-compressible prosthetic valve and a plastically-expandable coupling stent, thereby enabling attachment to the annulus without sutures. A small number of guide sutures may be provided for aortic valve orientation. The prosthetic valve may be a commercially available valve with a sewing ring with the coupling stent attached thereto. The coupling stent may expand from a conical deployment shape to a conical expanded shape, and may include web-like struts connected between axially-extending posts. A system and method for deployment includes a hollow two-piece handle through which a balloon catheter passes. A valve holder is stored with the heart valve and the handle easily attaches thereto to improve valve preparation steps. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331973 | Device And Method For Improving The Function Of A Heart Valve - A device for improving the function of a heart valve comprises: a support member formed from a shape memory material, and a restraining member providing a restraining action on a course of the support member. The support member may abut one side of the valve conforming to the shape of the valve annulus upon said shape memory material assuming an activated shape while the restraining member restrains the course of the support member. The restraining action is removable for allowing the support member to assume a desired, altered course. The restraining member may be biodegradable to be degraded within a patient or may be detachable from the support member to be withdrawn. The support member according to another embodiment presents a shape change in that an increased cross-section is associated with a shortened length of the support member. The support member according to yet another embodiment has a first and a second activated shape. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331974 | Intraocular Kinetic Power Generator - An implantable kinetic power generator has an oscillating weight that is physically coupled to a first gear. A second gear with a rotor at its center of rotation is coupled to the first gear. A generating coil is located in close proximity to the rotor. An energy storage unit is electrically coupled to the coil. A shell suitable for implantation in the eye encloses these components. When the rotor rotates, energy generated by the coil is stored in the energy storage unit. | 2010-12-30 |
20100331975 | FIBER MATRIX FOR MAINTAINING SPACE IN SOFT TISSUES - A fiber matrix is provided for maintaining space in soft tissue, for example for use in procedures for assisting drainage of aqueous humor from an eye to treat glaucoma. The fiber matrix comprises a plurality of crossing fibers forming a mesh with a plurality of void spaces. The fibers and void spaces are sized and arranged so as to permit passage of fluid through the fiber matrix and to inhibit formation of scar tissue through the fiber matrix. The fibers may comprise a polymeric material, and the fiber matrix may be manufactured by electrospinning. The fibers may comprise a biostable and/or a biodegradable material. In one method of using a fiber matrix, the fiber matrix is positioned under a scleral flap, with at least part of the fiber matrix under the scleral flap. | 2010-12-30 |