Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080208311 | MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT NESTED STENT STRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR THEIR PREPARATION AND DEPLOYMENT - Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using stent structures comprising a plurality of radially expansible rings where at least some of the rings comprise axially extending elements which interleave with axially extending elements on adjacent unconnected rings. The ring structures may be open cell structures or closed cell structures, and the axially extending elements will typically be formed as part of the open cell or closed cell structure. | 08-28-2008 |
20080234798 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERY OF MULTIPLE DISTRIBUTED STENTS - Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using multiple, discreet stent structures. Stent structures may be balloon expandable or self-expanding and are delivered by a delivery catheter which is repositioned to spaced-apart delivery sights. By coating the stents with particular biologically active substances, hyperplasia within and between the implanted stents can be inhibited. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a catheter body having both a pusher rod for advancing the stents relative to a sheath and a reciprocatable delivery catheter for implanting the stents. | 09-25-2008 |
20080300590 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MULTIPOLAR TISSUE WELDING - Apparatus, systems and methods of welding and coagulating tissue utilize a combination of monopolar and bipolar delivery of RF energy. This method is referred to as multipolar RF delivery and includes bringing a treatment apparatus having first and second electrodes to a treatment site. A first potential is applied to the first electrode and a second potential lower than the first is delivered to the second electrode. This results in current flow from the first electrode through the tissue to the second electrode and then through the tissue to a ground electrode. Current also flows from the first electrode through the tissue to the ground electrode and current may also flow from the first electrode through the tissue to the second electrode and return directly to the ground electrode. | 12-04-2008 |
20090104243 | Drug cores for sustained release of therapeutic agents - A solid drug core insert can be manufactured by injecting a liquid mixture comprising a therapeutic agent and a matrix precursor into a sheath body. The injection can be conducted at subambient temperatures. The mixture is cured to form a solid drug-matrix core. The therapeutic agent can be a liquid at about room temperature that forms a dispersion of droplets in the matrix material. A surface of the solid drug core is exposed, for example by cutting the tube, and the exposed surface of the solid drug core releases therapeutic quantities of the therapeutic agent when implanted into the patient. In some embodiments, the insert body inhibits release of the therapeutic agent, for example with a material substantially impermeable to the therapeutic agent, such that the therapeutic quantities are released through the exposed surface, thereby avoiding release of the therapeutic agent to non-target tissues. | 04-23-2009 |
20090312807 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR JOINT DISTRACTION - A method of treating a patient's joint having opposing joint surfaces includes providing an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end and an expandable member near the distal end. The expandable member is positioned in the joint between the joint surfaces and expanded so as to separate the joint surfaces away from one another into a distracted position. The joint is manipulated while in the distracted position so that the joint is distracted and in flexion. A diagnostic or therapeutic procedure is then performed on the joint while maintaining the joint in the flexed and distracted position. | 12-17-2009 |
20090326439 | HIGH PRESSURE PRE-BURST FOR IMPROVED FLUID DELIVERY - A needle with multiple injection ports is used in connection with a high-pressure injection system to infuse a treatment solution into a treatment area below the dermis of the skin. The needle has multiple tines that extend outwardly from the injection ports while inside the treatment area to disrupt tissue in the treatment area and to create multiple pathways of infusion. The tines are withdrawn and the needle is partially withdrawn, and solution is injected from the needle into the treatment area at high pressure to infuse the tissue within the treatment area. The burst, infusion, and a treatment such as an energy or third solution may be interleaved and repeated multiple times. | 12-31-2009 |
20100036488 | Therapeutic device for pain management and vision - A therapeutic lens for the treatment of an epithelial defect comprises a layer of therapeutic material disposed over the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane to inhibit water flow from the tear liquid to the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane, such that corneal deturgescence can be restored to decrease corneal swelling and light scattering. The layer may cover and protect nerve fibers to decrease pain. The layer may comprise an index of refraction to inhibit light scatter from an anterior surface of the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane. The lens may comprise a curved anterior surface that provides functional vision for the patient when the epithelium regenerates. The layer of therapeutic material can be positioned on the eye in many ways, for example with a spray that is cured to adhere the layer to the exposed surface of the stroma and/or Bowman's membrane. | 02-11-2010 |
20100114309 | DRUG DELIVERY IMPLANTS FOR INHIBITION OF OPTICAL DEFECTS - An implant for use with an eye comprises an implantable structure and a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent is deliverable from the structure into the eye so as to therapeutically effect and/or stabilize a refractive property of the eye. In many embodiments, the refractive property of the eye may comprise at least one of myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. The therapeutic agent can comprise a composition that therapeutically effects or stabilizes the refractive property of the eye. The therapeutic agent may comprise at least one of a mydriatic or a cycloplegic drug. For example, the therapeutic agent may include a cycloplegic that comprises at least one of atropine, cyclopentolate, succinylcholine, homatropine, scopolamine, or tropicamide. In many embodiments, a retention element can be attached to the structure to retain the structure along a natural tissue surface. | 05-06-2010 |
20110224742 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR ACCESSING AND RETRACTING A CAPSULE OF A JOINT - Devices and methods are disclosed herein for accessing the hip joint. A first device can be securely attached to the capsule of a joint. The first device can tent the capsule to increase the volume of the peripheral compartment. A second device can be biased against the first device to pierce the tented capsule and create a portal. Devices and methods are also disclosed herein for distending the capsule of a joint. A distention device may access a portal established within the capsule. The distention device can expand the capsule by applying an expansive force within the peripheral compartment. The distention device can maintain distention of the peripheral compartment while other devices access the joint. | 09-15-2011 |
20110224773 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PROTECTING A PASSAGEWAY IN A BODY WHEN ADVANCING DEVICES THROUGH THE PASSAGEWAY - A liner is advanced through a narrowed region in a vessel such as the internal carotid artery. The liner is advanced through the narrowed region in a collapsed position. A stent is then advanced through the liner and expanded to open the narrowed region. The liner may also have an anchor which expands an end of the liner before the stent is introduced. | 09-15-2011 |
20110251619 | HIP JOINT ACCESS USING A CIRCUMFERENTIAL WIRE AND BALLOON - The devices disclosed herein can provide access to the central compartment by accessing the medial-inferior side of the acetabulum, where a gap in the labrum exists. A distending device access the peripheral compartment of a hip joint. The device can then be circumferentially looped around the femoral head, and further tightened. Tightening the circumferential device can cause a balloon of the device to be placed within the gap. The balloon may then be inflated within the gap to distend the femoral head from the acetabulum. | 10-13-2011 |
20120187594 | DRUG CORES FOR SUSTAINED RELEASE OF THERAPEUTIC AGENTS - A solid drug core insert can be manufactured by injecting a liquid mixture comprising a therapeutic agent and a matrix precursor into a sheath body. The injection can be conducted at subambient temperatures. The mixture is cured to form a solid drug-matrix core. The therapeutic agent can be a liquid at about room temperature that forms a dispersion of droplets in the matrix material. A surface of the solid drug core is exposed, for example by cutting the tube, and the exposed surface of the solid drug core releases therapeutic quantities of the therapeutic agent when implanted into the patient. In some embodiments, the insert body inhibits release of the therapeutic agent, for example with a material substantially impermeable to the therapeutic agent, such that the therapeutic quantities are released through the exposed surface, thereby avoiding release of the therapeutic agent to non-target tissues. | 07-26-2012 |
20130066283 | Corneal Denervation for Treatment of Ocular Pain - Methods and apparatus for the treatment of the eye to reduce pain can treat at least an outer region of the tissue so as to denervate nerves extending into the inner region and reduce the pain. For example, the cornea of the eye may comprise an inner region having an epithelial defect, and an outer portion of the cornea can be treated to reduce pain of the epithelial defect. The outer portion of the cornea can be treated to denervate nerves extending from the outer portion to the inner portion. The outer portion can be treated in many ways to denervate the nerve, for example with one or more of heat, cold or a denervating noxious substance such as capsaicin. The denervation of the nerve can be reversible, such that corneal innervation can return following treatment. | 03-14-2013 |
20130131444 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR JOINT DISTRACTION - A method of treating a patient's joint having opposing joint surfaces includes providing an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end and an expandable member near the distal end. The expandable member is positioned in the joint between the joint surfaces and expanded so as to separate the joint surfaces away from one another into a distracted position. The joint is manipulated while in the distracted position so that the joint is distracted and in flexion. A diagnostic or therapeutic procedure is then performed on the joint while maintaining the joint in the flexed and distracted position. | 05-23-2013 |
20130211521 | Method and Apparatus for Altering Biomechanics of the Articular Joints - Pathology of the human knee can arise from excessive and/or uneven loading of regions within the joint. Methods and apparatus are disclosed that enable displacement of soft tissue around the knee, without displacing or severing bone thereby altering the mechanical load distribution within the joint in a less invasive manner than previous techniques. | 08-15-2013 |
20130231671 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR JOINT DISTRACTION - A method of treating a patient's joint having opposing joint surfaces includes providing an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end and an expandable member near the distal end. The expandable member is positioned in the joint between the joint surfaces and expanded so as to separate the joint surfaces away from one another into a distracted position. The joint is manipulated while in the distracted position so that the joint is distracted and in flexion. A diagnostic or therapeutic procedure is then performed on the joint while maintaining the joint in the flexed and distracted position. | 09-05-2013 |
20130303948 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERY OF A THERAPEUTIC AGENT - Methods and apparatus are provided for applying an fragment of a neurotoxin such as the active light chain (LC) of the botulinum toxin (BoNT), such as one of the serotype A, B, C, D, E, F or G botulinum toxins, via permeabilization of targeted cell membranes to enable translocation of the botulinum neurotoxin light chain (BoNT-LC) molecule across the targeted cell membrane to the cell cytosol where a therapeutic response is produced in a mammalian system. The methods and apparatus include use of catheter based delivery systems, non-invasive delivery systems, and transdermal delivery systems. | 11-14-2013 |
20130345715 | AORTIC VALVE REPAIR - The present invention provides devices and methods for decalcifying an aortic valve. The methods and devices of the present invention break up or obliterate calcific deposits in and around the aortic valve through application or removal of heat energy from the calcific deposits. | 12-26-2013 |
20140186420 | DRUG CORES FOR SUSTAINED RELEASE OF THERAPEUTIC AGENTS - A solid drug core insert can be manufactured by injecting a liquid mixture comprising a therapeutic agent and a matrix precursor into a sheath body. The injection can be conducted at subambient temperatures. The mixture is cured to form a solid drug-matrix core. The therapeutic agent can be a liquid at about room temperature that forms a dispersion of droplets in the matrix material. A surface of the solid drug core is exposed, for example by cutting the tube, and the exposed surface of the solid drug core releases therapeutic quantities of the therapeutic agent when implanted into the patient. In some embodiments, the insert body inhibits release of the therapeutic agent, for example with a material substantially impermeable to the therapeutic agent, such that the therapeutic quantities are released through the exposed surface, thereby avoiding release of the therapeutic agent to non-target tissues. | 07-03-2014 |
20140236293 | NASOLACRIMAL DRAINAGE SYSTEM IMPLANTS FOR DRUG THERAPY - An implant for insertion through a punctum and into a canalicular lumen of a patient. The implant includes a matrix of material, a therapeutic agent dispersed in the matrix of material, a sheath disposed over a portion of the matrix of material and configured to inhibit the therapeutic agent from being released from the matrix of material into the canalicular lumen and to allow the therapeutic agent to be released from a surface of the matrix of material to a tear film, and a retention structure configured to retain the implant within the canalicular lumen. | 08-21-2014 |
20140328894 | DRUG DELIVERY METHODS, STRUCTURES, AND COMPOSITIONS FOR NASOLACRIMAL SYSTEM - An implant for insertion into a punctum of a patient comprises a body. The body has a distal end, a proximal end, and an axis therebetween. The distal end of the body is insertable distally through the punctum into the canalicular lumen. The body comprises a therapeutic agent included within an agent matrix drug core. Exposure of the agent matrix to the tear fluid effects an effective therapeutic agent release into the tear fluid over a sustained period. The body has a sheath disposed over the agent matrix to inhibit release of the agent away from the proximal end. The body also has an outer surface configured to engage luminal wall tissues so as to inhibit expulsion when disposed therein. In specific embodiments, the agent matrix comprises a non-bioabsorbable polymer, for example silicone in a non-homogenous mixture with the agent. | 11-06-2014 |