Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090227838 | PROPELLABLE APPARATUS WITH PASSIVE SIZE CHANGING ABILITY - An apparatus includes a self-enclosed tube, sized and shaped to fit within and engage a human or animal body cavity, the tube comprising an inner surface defining an enclosed region and an outer surface that turns outward to engage the body cavity and turns inward to encompass a central region defining a concentric longitudinal path, wherein the tube is powerable to provide relative movement of the tube relative to the cavity in at least one of a forward or reverse direction with respect to the longitudinal path, and a compressible structure, configured to bias the outer surface of the tube outward to engage the body cavity at a first outer diameter, the compressible structure being deformable inward in response to a compressive force to provide a second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter. | 09-10-2009 |
20100210900 | PROPELLABLE APPARATUS AND RELATED METHODS - Propellable apparatus, assemblies and related methods including a self-enclosed member are disclosed. The self-enclosed member can include an inner surface at least partially defining an enclosed region, and an outer surface that turns outwardly to engage a cavity or lumen wall in addition to turning inward to at least partially encompass a central region defining a longitudinal path. The apparatus can include an internal drive mechanism engageable with the outer surface of the self-enclosed member to provide relative movement between the self-enclosed member and the cavity or lumen wall. A tapered member, positioned on the apparatus adjacent an end of the self-enclosed member, can provide a size transition between an outer surface portion of the self-enclosed member and an outer surface of a payload insertable within the central region. In some examples, one or more reinforcing members can be integrated within the self-enclosed member for increased durability and rotational use. | 08-19-2010 |
20110065988 | PROPELLABLE APPARATUS WITH ACTIVE SIZE CHANGING ABILITY - A propellable apparatus comprises one or more rotatable membranes. The rotatable membranes include an inner surface at least partially defining an encircled region and a continuous outer surface that turns outward to engage a cavity or lumen wall, for example, and turns inward to at least partially encompass a central region defining a longitudinal path. The membranes are powerable to provide movement relative to the cavity or lumen wall. The apparatus further comprises an inflatable and deflatable support structure, configured to bias the outer surface of the membranes outward to engage the cavity or lumen wall at a first outer diameter, and be deformable inward in response to a compressive force or operator command to provide a second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter. In some examples, the rotatable membranes include belt-like membranes, and the inflatable and deflatable support structure includes at least one impermeable bladder. | 03-17-2011 |
20110265275 | PROPELLABLE APPARATUS AND RELATED METHODS - Propellable apparatus, assemblies and related methods including a self-enclosed member are disclosed. The self-enclosed member can include an inner surface at least partially defining an enclosed region, and an outer surface that turns outwardly to engage a cavity or lumen wall in addition to turning inward to at least partially encompass a central region defining a longitudinal path. The apparatus can include an internal drive mechanism engageable with the outer surface of the self-enclosed member to provide relative movement between the self-enclosed member and the cavity or lumen wall. A tapered member, positioned on the apparatus adjacent an end of the self-enclosed member, can provide a size transition between an outer surface portion of the self-enclosed member and an outer surface of a payload insertable within the central region. In some examples, one or more reinforcing members can be integrated within the self-enclosed member for increased durability and rotational use. | 11-03-2011 |
20110265681 | PROPELLABLE APPARATUS AND RELATED METHODS - Propellable apparatus, assemblies and related methods including a self-enclosed member are disclosed. The self-enclosed member can include an inner surface at least partially defining an enclosed region, and an outer surface that turns outwardly to engage a cavity or lumen wall in addition to turning inward to at least partially encompass a central region defining a longitudinal path. The apparatus can include an internal drive mechanism engageable with the outer surface of the self-enclosed member to provide relative movement between the self-enclosed member and the cavity or lumen wall. A tapered member, positioned on the apparatus adjacent an end of the self-enclosed member, can provide a size transition between an outer surface portion of the self-enclosed member and an outer surface of a payload insertable within the central region. In some examples, one or more reinforcing members can be integrated within the self-enclosed member for increased durability and rotational use. | 11-03-2011 |
20120271107 | SELF-PROPELLED DEVICE FOR ENDOSCOPE - A self-propelled device includes a mounting part mounted on an insertion part of an endoscope, a hollow toroidal rotary body, and a rotary body supporting tube that is arranged in the internal space of rotary body and supports the rotary body from the inside. The rotary body supporting tube is attached to the outside of the mounting part. The mounting part is provided with a worm wheel, and the rotary body supporting tube is provided with a driven roller. The rotary body is sandwiched between the worm wheel and the driven roller, and is circulated and moved with the rotation of the worm wheel. Wipers for closing the gap formed between the mounting part and the rotary body are provided at the front and rear ends of the mounting part, and thereby preventing entering of foreign body from the gap. | 10-25-2012 |
20120277530 | ENDOSCOPE INSERTION ASSISTING DEVICE - An insertion assisting device includes a rotary body in the form of toroid, and a support and drive part for supporting the rotary body in a rotatable manner and rotating it. The support and drive part has an approximately cylindrical supporting member for supporting the rotary body in a rotatable manner. The rotary body is provided with a convex portion for increasing the thickness to improve the strength thereof. A concave portion having a shape corresponding to the shape of the convex portion is formed on a portion of a front end surface of the supporting member, which is made in contact with the convex portion. The concave portion prevents the rotary body from stopping rotating, which may be caused by point contact between the convex portion and the supporting member. | 11-01-2012 |
20130023724 | Pelvic Implant System and Method - Systems and methods are provided and adapted to engage and pull (e.g., pull up) or reposition paraurethral support tissue, such as the perineal membrane. The perineal membrane intersects the urethra and vagina at the midurethra or distal location and can thus be stabilized or controlled in a manner that helps restore continence. As such, the implants can be utilized to eliminate the need for mesh or other supportive structures under the urethra that is common with other incontinence slings. | 01-24-2013 |
20130036586 | ATTACHMENT JIG FOR ATTACHING SELF-PROPELLED DEVICE TO ENDOSCOPE - An attachment jig includes a cylinder portion at one end of which a ring portion for fixing a self-propelled device to an endoscope is provided, and a handle portion which is provided at the other end of the cylinder portion and is gripped so as to rotate the cylinder portion. An O ring is brought into press-contact with the outer periphery of an insertion section of the endoscope, such that the self-propelled device is fixed to the insertion section. When the handle portion is further turned, a thin-walled breaking portion is broken, and the ring portion is separated from the cylinder portion. When the handle portion is rotated in an opposite direction, the cylinder portion is taken out from the insertion section, while the ring portion remains in the fixed position. | 02-14-2013 |
20130060080 | Pelvic Implant Needle System and Method - Various embodiments of a trocar or needle system for use in inserting and deploying pelvic implants are provided. The needle device can include a solid or hollow shaft portion with a non-circular cross-section. A grip element can be provided to slide along a length of the needle shaft to further facilitate handling. | 03-07-2013 |
20130204075 | Pelvic Implant System and Method - Systems and methods are provided and adapted to engage and pull (e.g., pull up) or reposition urethral support tissue, such as the portion of the perineal membrane above or below the urethra. The perineal membrane intersects the urethra and vagina at the midurethra or distal location and can thus be stabilized or controlled in a manner that helps restore continence. | 08-08-2013 |
20140114352 | ADJUSTABLE SUTURE RESTRICTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A one-way knot pusher and/or locking device is provided and can be used for the adjustment of soft tissue anchoring components that create or improve continence. The device can be generally button- or disc-shaped and can include a carrier and a pin. When the device is pushed in the free sliding direction it acts as a knot pusher. However, when reversed the suture (e.g., the knot) jams or wedges inside of the cavity of the carrier, restricting or preventing motion in the opposite direction. | 04-24-2014 |
20140378757 | RELEASABLY SECURABLE NEEDLE AND HANDLE SYSTEM AND METHOD - An implant and needle delivery system including a needle selectively releasable from a handle assembly is provided. The needle is selectively connectable with an elongate sling and the needle is selectively releasable from the handle assembly an implantation procedure to treat a pelvic disorder or condition, such as incontinence. | 12-25-2014 |