Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090069798 | EYE THERAPY SYSTEM - A system for applying therapy to an eye selectively applies coolant to the corneal surface to minimize heat-related damage to the corneal surface during thermokeratoplasty. Embodiments may include an energy source, a conducting element, a coolant supply, and a coolant delivery system. The conducting element is operably connected to the energy source and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The conducting element directs energy from the energy source to the distal end, which is positionable at the eye. The coolant delivery system is in communication with the coolant supply and is operable to deliver a micro-controlled pulse of coolant to the distal end. | 03-12-2009 |
20090149842 | Eye therapy system - Heat is generated in corneal fibrils in a cornea of an eye according to a selected pattern. The heat causes the corneal fibrils corresponding to the selected pattern to transition from a first structure to a second structure. The second structure provides a desired reshaping of the cornea. A cross-linking agent is then activated in the region of corneal fibrils according to the selected pattern. The cross-linking agent prevents the corneal fibrils from changing from the second structure. Thus, embodiments stabilize corneal tissue and improve its biomechanical strength after desired structural changes have been achieved in the corneal tissue. Accordingly, the embodiments help to preserve the desired reshaping of the cornea. | 06-11-2009 |
20090209954 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RESHAPING AN EYE FEATURE - A system for applying therapy to an eye includes an applicator having a conducting element configured to direct energy from an energy source to an application end of the conducting element, where the application end has at least one eye contact portion. A positioning system positions the at least one eye contact portion in stable engagement with the eye surface. The conducting element is disposed within a housing for the applicator and at least one adjustment system is employed to move the conducting element relative to the housing. The at least one adjustment system enables controlled movement of the conducting element and the at least one eye contact portion against the corneal surface. In particular embodiments, sufficient contact between the applicator and the cornea is determined by causing applanation of the cornea. In other embodiments, at least one measurement device is employed to determine when sufficient contact has been established. | 08-20-2009 |
20100185192 | EYE THERAPY SYSTEM - Systems and methods improve operation of an applicator that delivers heat-generating energy to an eye as a part of an eye therapy. For example, reflected power may be measured to determine whether sufficient contact has been established between the applicator and the eye for accurate and precise delivery of energy to the eye. In addition, at least one of forward and reflected power may be measured to monitor the application of coolant pulses that control the generation of heat in the eye when the applicator delivers energy to the eye. Further, the forward and reflected power may be measured to determine an efficiency of energy transfer or an impedance mismatch. Based on the efficiency of energy transfer or the impedance mismatch, an adjustable parameter of a tuning element may be modified. | 07-22-2010 |
20100222777 | WINDOWED THERMAL ABLATION PROBE - A method and apparatus for treating an intraosseous nerve. The method includes positioning a hollow shaft through the cortical shell of a vertebral body and into a cancellous bone region of the vertebral body. The hollow shaft includes an annular wall having a longitudinal bore therein, a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a first window extending transversely through the annular wall. An electrosurgical probe is advanced within the longitudinal bore from the proximal portion toward the distal portion. The electrosurgical probe includes a first treatment element at a distal end of the probe, wherein the first treatment element being in electrical connection with a power supply. The first treatment element is slidably disposed within the longitudinal bore so that the first treatment element is advanced radially outward from the window and shaft to affect treatment of the intraosseous nerve within the cancellous bone region. | 09-02-2010 |
20100280509 | Eye Therapy System - An electrical energy applicator directs electrical energy from the electrical energy source to a distal end, which positionable at a surface of an eye. The energy conducting applicator includes a first conductor and a second conductor separated by a gap. The first conductor has a first contact surface at the distal end, and the second conductor has a second contact surface at the distal end. The first conductor and/or the second conductor has a length that is adjustable by a biasing element. The first contact surface of the first conductor is movable relative to the second contact surface of the second conductor. The first contact surface and the second contact surface are adjustably positionable simultaneously against the surface of the eye to deliver energy to the eye according to a pattern defined by the first contact surface, the second contact surface, and the gap. | 11-04-2010 |
20130131664 | Eye Therapy System - A system for applying therapy to an eye selectively applies coolant to the corneal surface to minimize heat-related damage to the corneal surface during thermokeratoplasty. Embodiments may include an energy source, a conducting element, a coolant supply, and a coolant delivery system. The conducting element is operably connected to the energy source and extends from a proximal end to a distal end. The conducting element directs energy from the energy source to the distal end, which is positionable at the eye. The coolant delivery system is in communication with the coolant supply and is operable to deliver a micro-controlled pulse of coolant to the distal end. | 05-23-2013 |
20140025049 | Eye Therapy System - Heat is generated in corneal fibrils in a cornea of an eye according to a selected pattern. The heat causes the corneal fibrils corresponding to the selected pattern to transition from a first structure to a second structure. The second structure provides a desired reshaping of the cornea. A cross-linking agent is then activated in the region of corneal fibrils according to the selected pattern. The cross-linking agent prevents the corneal fibrils from changing from the second structure. Thus, embodiments stabilize corneal tissue and improve its biomechanical strength after desired structural changes have been achieved in the corneal tissue. Accordingly, the embodiments help to preserve the desired reshaping of the cornea. | 01-23-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120129176 | CYTOKINES AS PROGNOSTIC MARKERS OF RESPIRATORY-TRACT INFECTION FOLLOWING MAJOR SURGERY - The invention relates to the use of a certain subset of cytokine markers as prognostic variables of infection status in an individual, and especially as prognostic markers of a patients developing severe infection such as pneumonia, and respiratory tract infection following surgery. The subset of cytokine markers consists of the interleukin cytokines IL-2, IL-7, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-IO, and Interferon-γ (INFγ) and Tissue Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα). The markers may be employed as individual prognostic variables of infection status, or they may be used in pairs or other combinations. Generally, the abundance of the markers is correlated with infection status by means of an absolute pre-operative value of biomarker abundance, ratio's of pre-operative to post-operative biomarker abundance, or ratio values for pairs of certain biomarkers within the subset. Typically, cytokine abundance is expressed in terms of mRNA copy number wherein the copy numbers are ideally normalised to a house keeping gene and quantification of mRNA copy number is determined by RT-PCR containing reference serial dilutions of cytokine specific cDNA. | 05-24-2012 |
20120149785 | METHOD OF ESTIMATING SEPSIS RISK IN AN INDIVIDUAL WITH INFECTION - A method of estimating sepsis risk in an individual with infection comprises a step of assaying a biological sample from the individual for an IL-2 or IL-7 mRNA value, and correlating the mRNA value with sepsis risk. The IL-2 and IL-7 mRNA values are quantified by absolute quantification of mRNA copy number, wherein the copy numbers are normalised to a house keeping gene and corrected against a calibration curve for serial dilutions of the IL-2 and IL-7 cDNA. The method generally involves a step of assaying a biological sample from the individual for IL-2 and/or IL-7 mRNA values, optionally in combination with mRNA values for other cytokines, and correlating a sum or difference of the values with sepsis risk using a regression analysis curve against outcome. | 06-14-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120330300 | INTRAOSSEOUS NERVE DENERVATION METHODS - System and methods for channeling a path into bone include a trocar having a proximal end, distal end and a central channel disposed along a central axis of the trocar. The trocar includes a radial opening at or near the distal end of the trocar. The system includes a curveable cannula sized to be received in the central channel, the curveable cannula comprising a curveable distal end configured to be extended laterally outward from the radial opening in a curved path extending away from the trocar. The curveable cannula has a central passageway having a diameter configured allow a probe to be delivered through the central passageway to a location beyond the curved path. | 12-27-2012 |
20130006232 | METHODS OF THERAPEUTICALLY HEATING A VERTEBRAL BODY TO TREAT BACK PAIN - Methods and systems for modulating intraosseous nerves (e.g., nerves within bone) are provided. For example, the methods and systems described herein may be used to modulate (e.g., denervate, ablate) basivertebral nerves within vertebrae. The modulation of the basivertebral nerves may facilitate treatment of chronic back pain. | 01-03-2013 |
20130006233 | BASIVERTEBRAL NERVE DENERVATION - System and methods for channeling a path into bone include a trocar having a proximal end, distal end and a central channel disposed along a central axis of the trocar. The trocar includes a radial opening at or near the distal end of the trocar. The system includes a curveable cannula sized to be received in the central channel, the curveable cannula comprising a curveable distal end configured to be extended laterally outward from the radial opening in a curved path extending away from the trocar. The curveable cannula has a central passageway having a diameter configured allow a probe to be delivered through the central passageway to a location beyond the curved path. | 01-03-2013 |
20130012933 | SYSTEMS FOR DENERVATION OF BASIVERTEBRAL NERVES - System and methods for channeling a path into bone include a trocar having a proximal end, distal end and a central channel disposed along a central axis of the trocar. The trocar includes a radial opening at or near the distal end of the trocar. The system includes a curveable cannula sized to be received in the central channel, the curveable cannula comprising a curveable distal end configured to be extended laterally outward from the radial opening in a curved path extending away from the trocar. The curveable cannula has a central passageway having a diameter configured allow a probe to be delivered through the central passageway to a location beyond the curved path. | 01-10-2013 |
20130012935 | METHODS OF TREATING BACK PAIN - Methods and systems for modulating intraosseous nerves (e.g., nerves within bone) are provided. For example, the methods and systems described herein may be used to modulate (e.g., denervate, ablate) basivertebral nerves within vertebrae. The modulation of the basivertebral nerves may facilitate treatment of chronic back pain. | 01-10-2013 |
20130012936 | SYSTEM FOR HEATING A VERTEBRAL BODY TO TREAT BACK PAIN - Methods and systems for modulating intraosseous nerves (e.g., nerves within bone) are provided. For example, the methods and systems described herein may be used to modulate (e.g., denervate, ablate) basivertebral nerves within vertebrae. The modulation of the basivertebral nerves may facilitate treatment of chronic back pain. | 01-10-2013 |
20130103022 | THERMAL DENERVATION DEVICES AND METHODS - A method and apparatus for treating an intraosseous nerve. The method includes positioning a hollow shaft through the cortical shell of a vertebral body and into a cancellous bone region of the vertebral body. The hollow shaft includes an annular wall having a longitudinal bore therein, a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a first window extending transversely through the annular wall. An electrosurgical probe is advanced within the longitudinal bore from the proximal portion toward the distal portion. The electrosurgical probe includes a first treatment element at a distal end of the probe, wherein the first treatment element being in electrical connection with a power supply. The first treatment element is slidably disposed within the longitudinal bore so that the first treatment element is advanced radially outward from the window and shaft to affect treatment of the intraosseous nerve within the cancellous bone region. | 04-25-2013 |
20130324996 | VERTEBRAL TREATMENT - Methods and systems for modulating intraosseous nerves (e.g., nerves within bone) are provided. For example, the methods and systems described herein may be used to modulate (e.g., denervate, ablate) basivertebral nerves within vertebrae. The modulation of the basivertebral nerves may facilitate treatment of chronic back pain. The modulation may be performed by a neuromodulation device (e.g., an energy delivery device). | 12-05-2013 |
20140316405 | DENERVATION METHODS - System and methods for channeling a path into bone include a trocar having a proximal end, distal end and a central channel disposed along a central axis of the trocar. The trocar includes a radial opening at or near the distal end of the trocar. The system includes a curveable cannula sized to be received in the central channel, the curveable cannula comprising a curveable distal end configured to be extended laterally outward from the radial opening in a curved path extending away from the trocar. The curveable cannula has a central passageway having a diameter configured allow a probe to be delivered through the central passageway to a location beyond the curved path. | 10-23-2014 |