Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100169188 | CONVERSION OF NON-NEGOTIABLE CREDITS EARNED FROM A GAME OF CHANCE TO NEGOTIABLE FUNDS - Entertainment credits from a game of chance can be identified. The entertainment credits can be associated with an entity with which a user has previously interacted. The previous interactions can earning the entertainment credits, which are non-negotiable credits. Responsive to a user request, a conversion agency can convert a quantity of the entertainment credits to a quantity of negotiable funds, wherein the conversion agency is not directly associated with the entity. The user can be permitted to access the quantity of negotiable funds, wherein the quantity of negotiable funds are able to be applied to user specified purchases, wherein at least a portion of the user specified purchases involve at least one vender that does not honor the non-negotiable credits. | 07-01-2010 |
20100268587 | STOREFRONT PURCHASES UTILIZING NON-NEGOTIABLE CREDITS EARNED FROM A GAME OF CHANCE - Entertainment credits from a game of chance can be identified. The entertainment credits can be associated with an entity with which a user has previously interacted. The previous interactions can earning the entertainment credits, which are non-negotiable credits. Responsive to a user request, a conversion agency can convert a quantity of the entertainment credits to a quantity of negotiable funds, wherein the conversion agency is not directly associated with the entity. The user can be permitted to access the quantity of negotiable funds within a vender storefront physically proximate and distinctly independent of the entity, wherein the quantity of negotiable funds are able to be applied to user specified purchases within the storefront, wherein the vender does not honor the non-negotiable credits. | 10-21-2010 |
20110256924 | SELF-SERVICE STATIONS FOR UTILIZING NON-NEGOTIABLE CREDITS EARNED FROM A GAME OF CHANCE - Entertainment credits from a game of chance can be identified. The entertainment credits can be associated with an entity with which a user has previously interacted. The previous interactions can earning the entertainment credits, which are non-negotiable credits. Responsive to a user request, a conversion agency can convert a quantity of the entertainment credits to a quantity of negotiable funds, wherein the conversion agency is not directly associated with the entity. The user can be permitted to access the quantity of negotiable funds within a vendor kiosk physically proximate and distinctly independent of the entity, wherein the quantity of negotiable funds are able to be applied to user specified purchases within the kiosk, wherein the vendor does not honor the non-negotiable credits. | 10-20-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110160755 | Helically Advancing Constriction Crossing Mechanism And Wire Guide Positioning Method For Performing Percutaneous Vascular Procedures - A method of performing a percutaneous vascular procedure includes sliding a vascular constriction crossing mechanism in a proximal to distal direction over a wire guide having a wire guide tip positioned at a proximal side of a vascular constriction, and rotating a sheath of the vascular constriction crossing mechanism about an axis of rotation relative to another sheath of the vascular constriction crossing mechanism. The method further includes advancing a constriction crossing tip by way of helically engaging the sheaths during the steps of rotating, and guiding an intraluminal treatment device into or past the vascular constriction for performing a vascular procedure within the patient. The vascular constriction crossing mechanism includes a first sheath and a second sheath, and a constriction crossing tip coupled with a distal segment of the first sheath. The vascular constriction crossing mechanism further includes a helical coupling between the first and second sheaths, which is configured to convert a torque on one of the sheaths to an axial force on the other of the sheaths for crossing a vascular constriction with the constriction crossing tip. An anchoring mechanism may be coupled with one of the sheaths and includes a deployed state at which the anchoring mechanism contacts a vascular wall of the patient for resisting displacement of the second sheath within a vascular structure of a patient. | 06-30-2011 |
20130226030 | Biopsy needle with enhanced flexibility - A biopsy stylet and needle system is provided that is configured for navigation and spring-loaded deployment through at least one tortuous or otherwise confined length. The system includes a needle cannula through which a notched biopsy stylet is disposed. The notched biopsy stylet includes at least one outer diameter length that is about the same as, but preferably very slightly less than, the inner diameter of the needle cannula. The notched biopsy stylet also includes at least one outer diameter length that has a smaller diameter, the lengthwise position of which corresponds to the tortuous or otherwise confined length through which the system is to be operated. The smaller stylet diameter length is configured to prevent binding between the stylet and the needle cannula and/or between the needle cannula and an overlying access cannula or other access passage structure. | 08-29-2013 |
20140058422 | Helically Advancing Constriction Crossing Mechanism And Wire Guide Positioning Method For Performing Percutaneous Vascular Procedures - A vascular procedure includes sliding a constriction crossing mechanism over a wire guide having a tip positioned at a proximal side of a constriction, and rotating a sheath of the mechanism about an axis relative another sheath of the mechanism. The method further includes helically engaging the sheaths, and guiding an intraluminal treatment device into or past the vascular constriction. The mechanism includes a first sheath and a second sheath, and a tip coupled with the first sheath. The mechanism further includes a helical coupling between the first and second sheaths, which is configured to convert a torque on one of the sheaths to an axial force on the other of the sheaths for crossing a vascular constriction with the tip. An anchoring mechanism coupled with one of the sheaths includes a deployed state resisting displacement of the second sheath within a vascular structure of a patient. | 02-27-2014 |
20140088626 | Helically Advancing Constriction Crossing Mechanism And Wire Guide Positioning Method For Performing Percutaneous Vascular Procedures - A vascular procedure includes sliding a constriction crossing mechanism over a wire guide having a tip positioned at a proximal side of a constriction, and rotating a sheath of the mechanism about an axis relative another sheath of the mechanism. The method further includes helically engaging the sheaths, and guiding an intraluminal treatment device into or past the constriction. The mechanism includes a first sheath and a second sheath, and a tip coupled with the first sheath. The mechanism further includes a helical coupling between the first and second sheaths, which is configured to convert a torque on one of the sheaths to an axial force on the other of the sheaths for crossing a vascular constriction with the tip. An anchoring mechanism coupled with one of the sheaths includes a deployed state resisting displacement of the second sheath within a vascular structure of a patient. | 03-27-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120016454 | DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR SIMULTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT OF INTRALUMINAL DEVICE - A medical device delivery system includes a retention sheath having a proximal portion and a bi-furcated distal portion having first and second sheath branch portions. The proximal ends of the sheath branch portions are joined together at a sheath branch junction. The system also includes an inner catheter disposed within the retention sheath. The inner catheter includes a proximal portion and a bi-furcated distal portion with first and second catheter branch portions. The proximal ends are joined together at a catheter branch junction. When the sheath is in an initial position, the catheter branch junction is displaced proximally from the sheath branch junction by a distance that is greater than or equal to the larger of a length of a first medical device and the length of a second medical device. | 01-19-2012 |
20120265098 | BIOPSY NEEDLE STAND - Embodiments of a needle stand are disclosed that include a base, an arching boom, and a tube, wherein the needle stand supports a biopsy needle. The base defines a plane and the base is configured to attach to a patient. The boom is attached to the base and has a length and a convex curvature and defines a plurality of holes along all or a portion of the length. The tube is sized to retain a needle handle of the biopsy needle. Each of the plurality of holes is sized to retain the tube and each of the plurality of holes defines an axis. The plane and each of the axes form a unique point of entry angle for the biopsy needle. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of holes is spaced at an interval along the boom that corresponds to about 10° increment in the angle. | 10-18-2012 |
20130102925 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR MAXIMIZING TISSUE COLLECTION IN PARTIAL-CORE BIOPSY NEEDLES - Methods and devices are illustrated for improving a partial-core biopsy device whereby inner mandrel deflection and flexibility is reduced, the volume of space available for tissue collection is increased, and tissue migration is reduced. | 04-25-2013 |
20130103036 | GHOST RING GUIDE FOR ASSISTANCE IN PERCUTANEOUS INSERTIONS - Among other things, there is disclosed embodiments of devices for assisting in aiming and inserting percutaneous medical tools or devices. A mandrel portion with a sharpened end has two or more guiding or directing members attached to it. The guiding or directing members at least partially define spaces that form part of a channel that is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mandrel portion, and one or both can be easily visualizable using imaging technology. The clinician can insert the aiming or guiding device into the patient, use imaging technology along the axis of the channel of the device to see whether the device is accurately placed, and if so, the guiding or directing members can be used to guide the percutaneous insertion of a medical tool or device. | 04-25-2013 |
20130131547 | ROTATING FULL-CORE BIOPSY NEEDLE - There is disclosed, among other things, embodiments of a biopsy needle for taking a full core sample through soft tissue. In the illustrated embodiments, the needle includes a single monolithic tubular member having a notch cut part-way through a distal portion of the tubular member to form an arch-shaped finger. At least a portion of the finger is bent toward the notch and into the lumen of the tubular member. Methods for using these embodiments are also described. | 05-23-2013 |
20130131548 | COAXIAL INCISIONAL FULL-CORE BIOPSY NEEDLE - Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of full-core biopsy needles having an outer needle component and a middle cannula through a lumen in the outer component, through which a mandrel may be placed. The outer component includes an internal boss that reduces its internal diameter, and the cannula includes fingers that extend distally. When the needle is inserted for biopsy, tissue enters the outer component and cannula. Moving the cannula forward causes the fingers to engage a surface of the internal boss, resulting in the fingers curving into the tissue. The fingers pinch the tissue while reducing or eliminating compression of the sample to provide an easier removal of the tissue from adjacent tissue, as well as providing a block or backstop keeping the tissue within the needle. Gaps are provided between the fingers to further reduce damage to the tissue sample. | 05-23-2013 |
20130289359 | DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING MARKER WIRE - Arrangements are disclosed in which proximal portions of a marker wire are effectively secured. In one embodiment, a proximal portion of the marker wire is positioned inside a tubular member that allows for slidable movement of the marker wire within the tubular member. In some embodiments, a proximal portion of the marker wire is coupled to a spring member. Some embodiments also disclose a movement-resisting member having flaps that contact the surface of the marker wire and resist movement of the marker wire in one or more directions. | 10-31-2013 |
20140207227 | STENT WITH POSITIONING ARMS - A stent is provided with arms for positioning the stent between two passageways. The stent may also be a stent-graft with a transition between a covered portion and an uncovered portion that is positioned relative to the junction between the two passageways. The arms are self-expanding and are biased outward from the tubular wall of the stent structure. The arms engage the wall of the first passageway around the junction to the second passageway to position a portion of the stent in the first passageway and another portion of the stent in the second passageway. | 07-24-2014 |
20140276208 | TISSUE ACQUISITION DEVICE WITH INDICATION SYSTEM - Among other things, there is disclosed a biopsy needle system in which the needle is capable of obtaining more than one length of sample. Generally, the needle includes an inner stylet, an outer cannula, and a handle connected to the stylet and cannula. The stylet has a notch that is extendable from the cannula to accommodate a tissue sample. An insert member is provided for attachment to the handle to make the amount of exposed notch smaller. Consequently, when the insert member is not attached to the handle, the needle can obtain a larger sample of tissue, and when the insert member is attached to the handle, the needle can obtain a smaller sample of tissue. | 09-18-2014 |
20150133815 | SPIRAL CUT BIOPSY CANNULA - Disclosed is an instrument useful for taking tissue samples from human or animal patients that includes a cannula or other similar elongate body cooperating with a stylet or similar device coaxially positioned within the cannula such that the cannula and stylet are useful for capturing and excising tissue. The cannula body includes at least one flexing region having one or more slits disposed in a generally helical slit pattern arranged around and along the cannula. Methods for taking tissue samples from a patient are also disclosed including navigating the cannula and stylet through various internal structures of the patient's body where the flexing region aids to avoid binding between the cannula and the stylet during the procedure. | 05-14-2015 |
20150342578 | COAXIAL INCISIONAL FULL-CORE BIOPSY NEEDLE - Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of full-core biopsy needles having an outer needle component and a middle cannula through a lumen in the outer component, through which a mandrel may be placed. The outer component includes an internal boss that reduces its internal diameter, and the cannula includes fingers that extend distally. When the needle is inserted for biopsy, tissue enters the outer component and cannula. Moving the cannula forward causes the fingers to engage a surface of the internal boss, resulting in the fingers curving into the tissue. The fingers pinch the tissue while reducing or eliminating compression of the sample to provide an easier removal of the tissue from adjacent tissue, as well as providing a block or backstop keeping the tissue within the needle. Gaps are provided between the fingers to further reduce damage to the tissue sample. | 12-03-2015 |
20160022250 | ROTATING FULL-CORE BIOPSY NEEDLE - There is disclosed, among other things, embodiments of a biopsy needle for taking a full core sample through soft tissue. In the illustrated embodiments, the needle includes a single monolithic tubular member having a notch cut part-way through a distal portion of the tubular member to form an arch-shaped finger. At least a portion of the finger is bent toward the notch and into the lumen of the tubular member. Methods for using these embodiments are also described. | 01-28-2016 |
20160082230 | COMPLIANT SLEEVE FOR VASCULAR BALLOON - The present disclosure relates to vascular balloon catheters having one or more sleeves disposed around at least a portion of the balloon. The balloon may be non-compliant or semi-compliant and its behavior may be modified by using the sleeve. The behavior of the balloon may be modified in any manner by the sleeve where a variable length of the balloon expands before the entire length of the balloon expands. | 03-24-2016 |