Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080275300 | COMPLEX SHAPE STEERABLE TISSUE VISUALIZATION AND MANIPULATION CATHETER - Complex shape steerable tissue visualization and manipulation catheters and their methods of use of disclosed herein. The deployment catheter may be articulated utilizing various steering mechanisms to adjust a position of a visualization hood or membrane through which underlying tissue may be visualized. | 11-06-2008 |
20080275424 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR TREATMENT OF OBESITY - The present invention provides methods and systems for treating obesity by creating an interruption of the vagal nerve, preferably in the region of the esophagus, by minimally or noninvasive means. | 11-06-2008 |
20080312546 | Systems and Methods for Needle Access to an Intervertebral Disc - A catheter with a balloon anchor may be sized to fit through an inner needle and introduced into the patient through the needle. The inner needle may comprise an atraumatic needle with a side port and/or a blunt tip. The catheter may include a radiopaque coil disposed over the distal portion of the catheter body to assist with catheter placement when viewed with fluoroscopy and/or x-ray. The distal portion of the catheter can be very flexible. A balloon inflation tube may terminate proximal to a proximal end of the expandable balloon anchor such that the distal portion of catheter can be flexible. This termination of the inflation tube may also position the inflation tube away from the annulus and nerve roots, so as to avoid irritation of the annulus and rubbing of the nerve roots that may potentially obscure FAD test results. | 12-18-2008 |
20080312609 | Systems and Methods for Needle Access to an Intervertebral Disc - A catheter with a balloon anchor may be sized to fit through an inner needle and introduced into the patient through the needle. The inner needle may comprise an atraumatic needle with a side port and/or a blunt tip. The catheter may include a radiopaque coil disposed over the distal portion of the catheter body to assist with catheter placement when viewed with fluoroscopy and/or x-ray. The distal portion of the catheter can be very flexible. A balloon inflation tube may terminate proximal to a proximal end of the expandable balloon anchor such that the distal portion of catheter can be flexible. This termination of the inflation tube may also position the inflation tube away from the annulus and nerve roots, so as to avoid irritation of the annulus and rubbing of the nerve roots that may potentially obscure FAD test results. | 12-18-2008 |
20080312636 | Systems and Methods for Needle Access to an Intervertebral Disc - A catheter with a balloon anchor may be sized to fit through an inner needle and introduced into the patient through the needle. The inner needle may comprise an atraumatic needle with a side port and/or a blunt tip. The catheter may include a radiopaque coil disposed over the distal portion of the catheter body to assist with catheter placement when viewed with fluoroscopy and/or x-ray. The distal portion of the catheter can be very flexible. A balloon inflation tube may terminate proximal to a proximal end of the expandable balloon anchor such that the distal portion of catheter can be flexible. This termination of the inflation tube may also position the inflation tube away from the annulus and nerve roots, so as to avoid irritation of the annulus and rubbing of the nerve roots that may potentially obscure FAD test results. | 12-18-2008 |
20080312637 | Device and Methods for Introducing a Catheter into an Intervertebral Disc - A system includes components that allow the user to select how to perform disc diagnosis with the components of the system. The system components include a FAD catheter, a guidewire and stylet, in which both the guidewire and stylet are compatible with the catheter. The user may select to insert the catheter into the disc with a stylet included in the system. The user may also select to insert the catheter into the disc with the guidewire included in the system, for example after the guidewire has been placed with a rigid needle. | 12-18-2008 |
20090030412 | VISUAL ELECTRODE ABLATION SYSTEMS - Visual electrode ablation systems are described herein which include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. An electric current may be passed through the fluid such that it passes directly to the tissue region being imaged and the electrical energy is conducted through the fluid without the need for a separate ablation probe or instrument to ablate the tissue being viewed. | 01-29-2009 |
20090062790 | DIRECT VISUALIZATION BIPOLAR ABLATION SYSTEMS - Direct visualization bipolar ablation systems are described which utilize bipolar electrode arrangements. Such assemblies are configured to facilitate the application of bipolar energy delivery, such as RF ablation, to an underlying target tissue for treatment in a controlled manner while directly visualizing the tissue during the bipolar ablation process. | 03-05-2009 |
20090125022 | TISSUE VISUALIZATION AND ABLATION SYSTEMS - Visualization and ablation system variations are described which utilize various tissue ablation arrangements. Such assemblies are configured to facilitate the application of energy delivery, such as RF ablation, to an underlying target tissue for treatment in a controlled manner while directly visualizing the tissue during the bipolar ablation process. | 05-14-2009 |
20090143640 | COMBINATION IMAGING AND TREATMENT ASSEMBLIES - Combination imaging and treatment assemblies are described herein which may utilize a deployment catheter in combination with an endoscopic system. The combined system comprises an open architecture to modularly incorporate any number of imaging devices (such as optical fiber, CMOS or CCD endoscopes) to provide high resolution optical images of tissue within an opaque environment. Additional variations may include an imaging hood or balloon member incorporated upon an endoscope or advanced through an endoscope working channel to visualize and treat tissue through blood. | 06-04-2009 |
20090203962 | STENT DELIVERY UNDER DIRECT VISUALIZATION - Stent delivery under direct visualization utilizing an imaging hood is described herein. A stent may be delivered and placed in or around lesions, e.g., ostial lesions, through a delivery catheter while being directly visualized via an imaging hood. A pre-delivery assessment probe may also be advanced to the desired site for accurate placement of the stent. | 08-13-2009 |
20090326572 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR RAPID TISSUE CROSSING - Apparatus and methods for rapid tissue crossing are described utilizing a device to penetrate and rapidly cross a tissue layer in a patient body without the need to withdraw the tissue visualization catheter out of the patient body to be replaced with a separate dilator. The distal end of a dilator sheath, within which the visualization device is positionable, may be collapsible to form a conical dilator. Upon the placement of the tip of the dilator at the site of transseptal puncture, the conical dilator may be advanced distally through the puncture to enlarge the opening. With passage of the dilator sheath through the opening, a visualization hood may be advanced and deployed through the conical dilator which opens from its conical shape to allow the passage of the hood or other instruments therethrough. | 12-31-2009 |
20100004633 | CATHETER CONTROL SYSTEMS - Catheter control systems which facilitate the tracking of an angle of deflection of a catheter distal end can be used for any number of procedures where catheter orientation relative to the body is desirable, e.g., in transseptal access procedures where an accurate angle of puncture of the septal wall is desirable. Such control systems may comprise a steerable handle which is oriented relative to the catheter steerable section to provide for consistent catheter articulation upon corresponding manipulation of the steering ring. Another variation may utilize an orientation indicator to track the deflectable distal end. For instance, an orientation marker as visualized through an imaging hood on the distal end may correspond to identical orientation markers on the control handle such that articulation of a steering mechanism in a direction relative to the orientation markers deflects the catheter distal end in a corresponding direction relative to the visualized orientation markers. | 01-07-2010 |
20100010311 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICIENT PURGING - Methods and apparatus for efficient purging from an imaging hood are described which facilitate the visualization of tissue regions through a clear fluid. Such a system may include an imaging hood having one or more layers covering the distal opening and defines one or more apertures which control the infusion and controlled retention of the clearing fluid into the hood. In this manner, the amount of clearing fluid may be limited and the clarity of the imaging of the underlying tissue through the fluid within the hood may be maintained for relatively longer periods of time by inhibiting, delaying, or preventing the infusion of surrounding blood into the viewing field. The aperture size may be controlled to decrease or increase through selective inflation of the membrane or other mechanisms. | 01-14-2010 |
20100094081 | ELECTRODE PLACEMENT AND CONNECTION SYSTEMS - Electrode placement and connection systems are described which allow for the electrical connection and maintenance of one or more electrodes positioned on a substrate which is subjected to a variety of mechanical stresses. Such a system may include an imaging hood having an aperture through which transparent fluid is flowed and one or more electrodes positioned along or about the hood. As the hood is configured between a low-profile and opened configuration, these electrodes may remain electrically coupled despite the mechanical stresses subjected to the electrodes and the connections thereto. | 04-15-2010 |
20100130836 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEMS - Image processing systems are described which utilize various methods and processing algorithms for enhancing or facilitating visual detection and/or sensing modalities for images captured in vivo by an intravascular visualization and treatment catheter. Such assemblies are configured to deliver energy, such as RF ablation, to an underlying target tissue for treatment in a controlled manner while directly visualizing the tissue during the ablation process. | 05-27-2010 |
20110066245 | Minimally Invasive Joint Implant with 3-Dimensional Geometry Matching the Articular Surfaces - This invention is directed to orthopedic implants and systems. The invention also relates to methods of implant design, manufacture, modeling and implantation as well as to surgical tools and kits used therewith. The implants are designed by analyzing the articular surface to be corrected and creating a device with an anatomic or near anatomic fit; or selecting a pre-designed implant having characteristics that give the implant the best fit to the existing defect. | 03-17-2011 |
20110306833 | FLOW REDUCTION HOOD SYSTEMS - Flow reduction hood systems are described which facilitate the visualization of tissue regions through a clear fluid. Such a system may include an imaging hood having one or more layers covering the distal opening and defines one or more apertures which control the infusion and controlled retention of the clearing fluid into the hood. In this manner, the amount of clearing fluid may be limited and the clarity of the imaging of the underlying tissue through the fluid within the hood may be maintained for relatively longer periods of time by inhibiting, delaying, or preventing the infusion of surrounding blood into the viewing field. The aperture size may be controlled to decrease or increase through selective inflation of the membrane or other mechanisms. | 12-15-2011 |
20130131448 | FLOW REDUCTION HOOD SYSTEMS - Flow reduction hood systems are described which facilitate the visualization of tissue regions through a clear fluid. Such a system may include an imaging hood having one or more layers covering the distal opening and defines one or more apertures which control the infusion and controlled retention of the clearing fluid into the hood. In this manner, the amount of clearing fluid may be limited and the clarity of the imaging of the underlying tissue through the fluid within the hood may be maintained for relatively longer periods of time by inhibiting, delaying, or preventing the infusion of surrounding blood into the viewing field. The aperture size may be controlled to decrease or increase through selective inflation of the membrane or other mechanisms. | 05-23-2013 |
20140250676 | Minimally Invasive Joint Implant with 3-Dimensional Geometry Matching the Articular Surfaces - This invention is directed to orthopedic implants and systems. The invention also relates to methods of implant design, manufacture, modeling and implantation as well as to surgical tools and kits used therewith. The implants are designed by analyzing the articular surface to be corrected and creating a device with an anatomic or near anatomic fit; or selecting a pre-designed implant having characteristics that give the implant the best fit to the existing defect. | 09-11-2014 |
20140316406 | Visual Electrode Ablation Systems - A method of ablating a tissue region within a blood-filled environment comprises restraining a fluid within a visualization field in a portion of the blood-filled environment and visualizing the tissue region through the fluid within the visualization field. The method also includes transmitting ablating electrical energy from the fluid into the visualized tissue region. | 10-23-2014 |
20150025614 | Stent Delivery Under Direct Visualization - Stent delivery under direct visualization utilizing an imaging hood is described herein. A stent may be delivered and placed in or around lesions, e.g., ostial lesions, through a delivery catheter while being directly visualized via an imaging hood. A pre-delivery assessment probe may also be advanced to the desired site for accurate placement of the stent. | 01-22-2015 |