| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20080249467 | Device and Method for Safe Access to a Body Cavity - An anatomical space access device having an elongate body; an insertion tip at a distal end of the elongate body; an anatomical space sensor disposed at the distal end of the elongate body, the sensor being adapted to sense a parameter identifying an anatomical space other than a vasculature space and to generate a signal; and an indicator operatively connected to the sensor to receive the signal and to indicate access of the sensor to the anatomical space. The invention also provides a method for providing access to an anatomical space outside of a vasculature space, including the following steps: inserting a distal end of an instrument through a tissue volume into the anatomical space outside of a vasculature space, the instrument comprising an anatomical space sensor; and generating a location indication of the anatomical space sensor. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080262418 | Automated Therapy System and Method - An automated therapy system having an infusion catheter; a sensor adapted to sense a patient parameter; and a controller communicating with the sensor and programmed to control flow output from the infusion catheter into a patient based on the patient parameter without removing fluid from the patient. The invention also includes a method of controlling infusion of a fluid to a patient. The method includes the following steps: monitoring a patient parameter with a sensor to generate a sensor signal; providing the sensor signal to a controller; and adjusting fluid flow to the patient based on the sensor signal without removing fluid from the patient. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20090030435 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANCHORING CARDIOVASCULAR IMPLANTS - Methods, devices and systems facilitate retention of a variety of therapeutic devices. Devices generally include an anchoring element, which has been designed to promote fibrotic ingrowth, and an anchored device, which has been designed to firmly engage the complementary region of the anchoring element. The anchoring element may be placed in a minimally invasive procedure temporally separated from the deployment of the anchored device. Once enough time has passed to ensure appropriate fixation of the anchoring element by tissue and cellular ingrowth at the site of placement, the anchored device may then be deployed during which it firmly engages the complementary region of the anchoring element. In this manner, a firm attachment to the implantation site may be made with a minimum of required hardware. Some embodiments are delivered through a delivery tube or catheter and while some embodiments may require laparoscopy or open surgery for one or more of the placement procedures. Some embodiments anchor devices within the cardiovascular tree while others may anchor devices within the gastrointestinal, peritoneal, pleural, pulmonary, urogynecologic, nasopharyngeal or dermatologic regions of the body. An alternative embodiment provides for the placement of the anchoring element and anchored device simultaneously, but allows for their removal separately. This embodiment allows the device, which may be placed only temporarily and be designed to be removed, to experience significant fibrotic ingrowth, but then to be easily detached from the ingrowth-anchored region to allow for simple and quick device removal. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090076573 | Hypothermia Devices and Methods - A method of providing hypothermia to a patient including the steps of inserting a fluid delivery member into a peritoneal cavity of the patient; delivering hypothermia fluid from a fluid source into the peritoneal cavity through the delivery member; and limiting fluid pressure within the peritoneal cavity without providing feedback control to the fluid source. The invention also provides an apparatus for practicing the method. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090182357 | DEVICE FOR INTERMITTENTLY OBSTRUCTING A GASTRIC OPENING AND METHOD OF USE - The present invention relates to a device for intermittently obstructing a bodily opening, such as a gastric opening, and includes a proximal member connected to a distal member by a tether. The proximal member includes an apron member surrounding a first occluding member, which is formable from an elongated and narrower configuration to a contracted or expanded but wider configuration. When employed in the stomach, the device of the present invention is arranged transluminally, with the distal member disposed in the duodenum and the proximal member disposed against the pyloric valve, intermittently occluding the pyloric valve and preventing or delaying the flow of gastric contents through the pyloric valve. In certain embodiments, a reservoir may be included for releasing a substance of interest, for example for releasing insulin from a reservoir disposed in the distal member. Sensors, actuators, and data transmission devices may also be included. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090182358 | DEVICE FOR INTERMITTENTLY OBSTRUCTING A GASTRIC OPENING AND METHOD OF USE - The present invention relates to a device for intermittently obstructing a bodily opening, such as a gastric opening, and includes a proximal member connected to a distal member by a tether. The proximal member includes an apron member surrounding a first occluding member, which is formable from an elongated and narrower configuration to a contracted or expanded but wider configuration. When employed in the stomach, the device of the present invention is arranged transluminally, with the distal member disposed in the duodenum and the proximal member disposed against the pyloric valve, intermittently occluding the pyloric valve and preventing or delaying the flow of gastric contents through the pyloric valve. In certain embodiments, a reservoir may be included for releasing a substance of interest, for example for releasing insulin from a reservoir disposed in the distal member. Sensors, actuators, and data transmission devices may also be included. | 07-16-2009 |
| 20090187200 | GASTRIC RETAINING DEVICES AND METHODS - Methods, devices and systems facilitate gastric retention of a variety of therapeutic devices. devices generally include a support portion for preventing the device from passing through the pyloric valve or esophagus wherein a retaining member may optionally be included on the distal end of the positioning member for further maintaining a position of the device in the stomach. Some embodiments are deliverable into the stomach through the esophagus, either by swallowing or through a delivery tube or catheter. Some embodiments are fully reversible. Some embodiments self-expand within the stomach, while others are inflated or otherwise expanded. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090187201 | GASTRIC RETAINING DEVICES AND METHODS - Methods, devices and systems facilitate gastric retention of a variety of therapeutic devices. devices generally include a support portion for preventing the device from passing through the pyloric valve or esophagus wherein a retaining member may optionally be included on the distal end of the positioning member for further maintaining a position of the device in the stomach. Some embodiments are deliverable into the stomach through the esophagus, either by swallowing or through a delivery tube or catheter. Some embodiments are fully reversible. Some embodiments self-expand within the stomach, while others are inflated or otherwise expanded. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090198210 | DEVICE FOR INTERMITTENTLY OBSTRUCTING A GASTRIC OPENING AND METHOD OF USE - The present invention relates to a device for intermittently obstructing a bodily opening, such as a gastric opening, and includes a proximal member connected to a distal member by a tether. The proximal member includes an apron member surrounding a first occluding member, which is formable from an elongated and narrower configuration to a contracted or expanded but wider configuration. When employed in the stomach, the device of the present invention is arranged transluminally, with the distal member disposed in the duodenum and the proximal member disposed against the pyloric valve, intermittently occluding the pyloric valve and preventing or delaying the flow of gastric contents through the pyloric valve. In certain embodiments, a reservoir may be included for releasing a substance of interest, for example for releasing insulin from a reservoir disposed in the distal member. Sensors, actuators, and data transmission devices may also be included. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20100121159 | Devices and Methods for Monitoring Core Temperature and an Intraperitoneal Parameter - Methods and apparatus for monitoring core temperature of a patient receiving intraperitoneal hypothermia or hyperthermia are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is placing a monitoring device having a sensor into a non-intraperitoneal cavity of a patient. The non-intraperitoneal cavity can be a urethra, a rectum, an anal sphincter, a stomach, an esophagus, the peripheral vasculature, or a vagina, for example. Another feature is sensing core temperature of the patient with the sensor. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100160712 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC INDUCTION THERAPY - An energy emitting apparatus for providing a medical therapy includes one or more energy generators, a logic controller electrically connected to the one or more energy generators, and one or more sensors that are connected to the logic controller for detecting electric conduction in a target nerve. The energy generators produce energy focused on the target nerve upon receiving a signal from the logic controller, and the energy is varied by the logic controller according to an input provided by the one or more sensors. The energy emitting apparatus includes one or more conductive coils that produce a magnetic field focused on the target nerve upon receiving an electric current from the logic controller based on input provided by the sensors. The sensor may also include a microneedle array to detect electrical conduction or an energy emitting apparatus may include a microneedle array to produce or deliver energy, an electrical or magnetic stimulus or field. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100168501 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC INDUCTION THERAPY - An energy emitting apparatus for providing a medical therapy includes one or more energy generators, a logic controller electrically connected to the one or more energy generators, and one or more sensors that are connected to the logic controller for detecting electric conduction in a target nerve. The energy generators produce energy focused on the target nerve upon receiving a signal from the logic controller, and the energy is varied by the logic controller according to an input provided by the one or more sensors. The energy emitting apparatus includes one or more conductive coils that produce a magnetic field focused on the target nerve upon receiving an electric current from the logic controller based on input provided by the sensors. The sensor may also include a microneedle array to detect electrical conduction or an energy emitting apparatus may include a microneedle array to produce or deliver energy, e.g., an electrical or magnetic stimulus or field. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100204538 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC INDUCTION THERAPY - An energy emitting, apparatus for providing a medical therapy includes one or more energy generators, a logic controller electrically connected to the one or more energy generators, and one or more sensors that are connected to the logic controller for detecting electric conduction in a target nerve. The energy generators produce energy focused on the target nerve upon receiving a signal from the logic controller, and the energy is varied by the logic controller according to an input provided by the one or more sensors. The energy emitting apparatus includes one or more conductive coils that produce a magnetic field focused on the target nerve upon receiving an electric current from the logic controller based on input provided by the sensors. The sensor may also include a microneedle array to detect electrical conduction or an energy emitting apparatus may include a microneedle array to produce or deliver energy, an electrical or magnetic stimulus or field. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100204765 | Method and Apparatus for Inducing Therapeutic Hypothermia - Methods and apparatus for delivering therapeutic hypothermia to a patient are provided which may include any number of features. One feature is a hypothermia system comprising a fluid source, a heat exchanger assembly, a catheter in fluid communication with the fluid source, and a pump system configured to infuse hypothermic fluid into a patient cavity and extract hypothermic fluid from the patient cavity. The hypothermia system can infuse and extract fluid automatically from the patient cavity. In one embodiment, the patient cavity is a peritoneal cavity. A safe access device to gain access to the patient cavity is also provided. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100222629 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAGNETIC INDUCTION THERAPY - Energy emitting systems are provided which include an adjustable conductive coil configured to generate a magnetic or electromagnetic field focused on a target nerve. The coil includes a central aperture which may be adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration having a radius greater than the radius of the first configuration. The adjustable or movable nature of the coil allows the conductive coil to conform to, accommodate, or be positioned on a particular anatomical structure of a patient to position the coil in proximity to the underlying target nerve. In certain embodiments, methods of magnetic induction therapy are provided which include positioning a conductive coil relative to a portion of a patient's body by adjusting the central aperture of the coil such that the coil may conform to, accommodate or be positioned on the portion of the patient's body in proximity to the underlying target nerve. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20110021863 | COOLING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONDUCTIVE COILS - An energy emitting apparatus for providing a medical therapy includes one or more energy generators, a logic controller connected to the one or more energy generators, and optionally one or more sensors that are connected to the logic controller for detecting muscle stimulation or electric conduction in a target nerve. The energy generators produce energy focused on the target nerve upon receiving a signal from the logic controller, and the energy can be varied by the logic controller according to an input provided by the one or more sensors. In certain embodiments, the energy emitting apparatus includes one or more conductive coils that produce a magnetic field focused on the target nerve upon receiving an electric current. In certain embodiments, a variety of cooling mechanisms or systems may be implemented for cooling the coil. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110115894 | Device and method for diagnosis and monitoring of neural, opthalmologic and retinal disorders - Devices and methods to detect the sampling rate of the eye for diagnostic purposes involving: 1) exposing the eye to an analog signal or a digital signal with a varying speed/refresh rate, 2) recording the patient response, either manually or automatically, to detect the speed/refresh rate threshold for aliasing, 3) making a diagnosis with this information and/or correlating this information to a past reading to determine the trend in the function or status of the patient's retina, optic nerve or cerebral cortex. | 05-19-2011 |
