Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080300530 | STIMULATING CATHETER - An apparatus for delivery of a substance to an anatomical region in a body can include a catheter comprising a catheter body, and one or more electrically conductive elements supported by the catheter body and in electrical communication with one or more sources of electrical stimulus. The catheter body can comprise a lumen therein, a substantially closed distal end, and an infusion section configured to permit fluid to pass through the catheter body and that can have a length that is less than or equal to the length of the catheter body. In some embodiments, the apparatus can comprise a coiled member positioned within the lumen of the catheter body. The coiled member can comprise adjacent coils and can permit the uniform flow of the substance through one or more holes formed in the catheter body. | 12-04-2008 |
20080300548 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SECURING A CATHETER WITHIN AN ANATOMY - An apparatus and method for securing a catheter within a target area of the anatomy are disclosed. The catheter includes a passage or opening through which a suture filament may be routed. The suture filament can be secured relative to anatomical tissue to retain the catheter within a desired region. After the catheter has been used to complete the desired medical procedure, the suture filament may be released, permitting the catheter to be easily withdrawn from the anatomy. The catheter may include a biodegradable tip, which when absorbed by the body would enable the catheter to be removed. Biodegradable suture filaments and other components may also be used to facilitate the release of the catheter from the anatomy. | 12-04-2008 |
20080312677 | SOFT TISSUE TUNNELING DEVICE - A tissue tunneling device is configured to be delivered within the body. The tunneling device includes a shaft with a blunt distal end to prevent coring or other damage to tissue during the delivery of the tunneling device. In some arrangements, the shaft includes one or more lumen, through which medication or another fluid may be administered. An anesthetic or other pain relieving medication may be delivered through the lumen to lessen the discomfort of delivering the tunneling device to the desired anatomical site. The handle of the tunneling device can be adapted to receive a syringe or another type of fluid source. The shaft may also include a retractable needle for facilitating the advancement of the tunneling device through skin or other tissue. The shaft may also be provided with an outer sheath, which may be left within the anatomy after the tunneling device has been removed. The tunneling device can be configured to prevent or reduce relative rotation or other movement between the shaft and the sheath. The shaft may be malleable for custom-shaping the tunneling device prior to and/or during delivery. | 12-18-2008 |
20090076478 | CATHETER FOR UNIFORM DELIVERY OF MEDICATION - A catheter is provided for uniform distribution of fluid medication within an anatomical region. One embodiment of the catheter is compromised of an elongated, proximal tube defining a lumen and an elongated, distal tube having a closed end. The distal tube is constructed from a bio-absorbable material and also defines a lumen, which communicates with the lumen of the proximal tube. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the distal tube defines a porous side wall that permits fluid within the lumen to pass through the portion of the distal tube. In another embodiment, the proximal tube and the distal tube overlap one another and are secured to one another at the overlapping surfaces. | 03-19-2009 |
20090105667 | FLUID MEDICATION DELIVERY DEVICE - A fluid delivery device is provided for transdermal delivery of fluid medications to patients. The device can comprise a thin envelope which is applied to a patient's skin. The envelope can comprise at least one diffusion layer coupled to at least one impermeable layer such that at least one chamber can exist therebetween. Other embodiments can include internal diffusion layers, and thus can possess additional chambers, as well. The impermeable layer can comprise a top surface of the device. A valve positioned in the impermeable layer can facilitate filling the device with fluid, as well as connection of the device to external fluid sources such as an intravenous bag, pump, or other external fluid delivery system. The diffusion layer can comprise a coiled wire member to control the rate of fluid flow from the device to the patient's skin. | 04-23-2009 |
20090144093 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING A PATIENT - A remotely programmable and accessible medical device system including an interface unit and a medical device connected to a patient is disclosed. Through a transceiver, such as a telephone or computer, a person may obtain status reports from a remotely located medical device in audible, electronic or paper form. In addition, the person may change a protocol associated with the medical device or be alerted at a remote location of an alarm associated with the medical device. | 06-04-2009 |
20090187152 | ANTI-MICROBIAL CATHETER - A catheter having features configured to provide a substantially uniform flow rate of a fluid exiting the catheter and also exhibits anti-microbial properties. The uniform flow rate features may include one or more of a flow restricting membrane or flow restricting component within an infusion section of the catheter. In other arrangements, exit holes defining the infusion section of the catheter may be configured to provide the desired uniform flow rate over the length of the infusion section. Furthermore, the catheter also includes anti-microbial properties to inhibit the growth of microbes on or within the catheter and, preferably, to inhibit microbe growth in an anatomical region surrounding the catheter. The desired anti-microbial properties may be provided by an anti-microbial layer, anti-microbial materials dispersed within the material from which components of the catheters are constructed, or a combination of anti-microbial layers and embedded anti-microbial materials. In some arrangements, one or more portions of the catheter may be bio-absorbable. | 07-23-2009 |
20090250124 | PRESSURE REGULATOR - A variable device for regulating the outlet pressure of a fluid from a valve body, includes a pressure-sensing chamber having a wall formed by a resilient self-restoring diaphragm which is responsive to pressure in the chamber. A valve element connected to the diaphragm controls flow into the chamber. Increased pressure in the chamber decreases the flow into the chamber and decreasing pressure increases flow whereby fluid flow out from the chamber is maintained at a desired pressure. The outlet pressure is adjusted by deflecting the diaphragm in a direction to open the valve while permitting a section of the diaphragm connected to the valve member to remain responsive to the pressure in the chamber. An adjustment cover is provided to adjustably deflect the diaphragm and includes a catch mechanism to allow adjustment of the fluid outlet pressures and also retain the device at a desired value. An indicator arrangement may be provided to visually indicate the fluid outlet pressure. | 10-08-2009 |
20100000666 | CATHETER FOR UNIFORM DELIVERY OF MEDICATION - Catheters for uniform delivery of medication within an anatomical region. A catheter includes an elongated tube with a plurality of exit holes along an infusion section of the catheter, and an elongated flexible porous member residing within the tube and forming an annular space between the tube and the member. A catheter includes a tube having a plurality of exit holes in a side wall of the tube. The exit holes may combine to form a flow-restricting orifice of the catheter. A catheter includes an elongated tubular member made of a porous membrane. The porous membrane is configured so that a fluid introduced into an open end of the tubular member will flow through side walls of the tubular member at a substantially uniform rate along a length of the tubular member. A catheter includes an elongated “weeping” tubular coil spring attached to an end of, or enclosed within, a tube. Fluid within the spring and greater than or equal to a threshold pressure advantageously flows radially outward between the spring coils. | 01-07-2010 |
20100305521 | FLUID MEDICATION DELIVERY DEVICE - A fluid delivery device for transdermal delivery of a fluid to a patient. The device comprises an envelope that may be applied to a patient's skin. The envelope comprises at least one diffusion layer coupled to at least one impermeable layer such that at least a chamber is defined therebetween. Other embodiments include internal diffusion layers, and thus possess additional chambers, as well. In one arrangement, an adhesive boundary layer permits the device to be removably secured to a patient and inhibits radial migration of fluid beyond the periphery of the device. In another arrangement, preferably, an anti-microbial layer is provided to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. | 12-02-2010 |
20100305522 | FLUID MEDICATION DELIVERY DEVICE - A fluid delivery device for transdermal delivery of a fluid to a patient. The device comprises an envelope that may be applied to a patient's skin. The envelope comprises at least one diffusion layer coupled to at least one impermeable layer such that at least a chamber is defined therebetween. Other embodiments include internal diffusion layers, and thus possess additional chambers, as well. In one arrangement, an adhesive boundary layer permits the device to be removably secured to a patient and inhibits radial migration of fluid beyond the periphery of the device. In another arrangement, preferably, an anti-microbial layer is provided to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. | 12-02-2010 |