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| 20090074407 | HIGH-SPEED SERIALIZER, RELATED COMPONENTS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A communication system includes a multiplexer configured to multiplex a first set of data channels into a first data channel and to multiplex a second set of data channels into a second data channel, and a delay adjuster configured to adjustably delay the first data channel based on a delay adjust command. The communication system also includes a first amplifier configured to amplify the delayed first channel into a first output data channel, and a second amplifier configured to amplify the second data channel into a second output data channel. The communication system further includes a first driver configured to convert the first output data channel into a first drive signal to drive an optical modulator, and a second driver configured to convert the second output data channel into a second drive signal to drive the optical modulator. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20100022199 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CALIBRATION OF GAIN AND/OR PHASE IMBALANCE AND/OR DC OFFSET IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - An example of a radio frequency (RF) receiver system for communication may include a receive channel frequency converter configured to provide a second receive calibration signal during a receive calibration mode based on a first receive calibration signal and a receive reference signal. The system may include a receive pre-distortion module coupled to the receive channel frequency converter. The receive pre-distortion module may be configured to provide a fourth receive calibration signal during the receive calibration mode based on a third receive calibration signal and one or more receive calibration adjustment signals. The one or more receive calibration adjustment signals may comprise an offset parameter associated with DC offset and an imbalance parameter associated with at least one of gain and phase imbalances. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100022200 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CALIBRATION OF GAIN AND/OR PHASE IMBALANCE AND/OR DC OFFSET IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - An example of a method for off-line calibration of a radio frequency (RF) communication system may include one or more of the following: enabling an off-line calibration mode for an RF communication system; generating an off-line calibration signal; applying to a frequency converter a first off-line calibration signal corresponding to the generated off-line calibration signal; translating the first off-line calibration signal into a second off-line calibration signal; evaluating one or more calibration adjustment signals associated with the calibration signal to reduce error in the communication system, wherein the one or more calibration adjustment signals may include an offset parameter associated with DC offset and an imbalance parameter associated with at least one of gain and phase imbalances; storing one or more calibration adjustment signals; disabling the off-line calibration mode; applying a communication signal; and adjusting the communication signal based on the stored one or more calibration adjustment signals. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100022208 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CALIBRATION OF GAIN AND/OR PHASE IMBALANCE AND/OR DC OFFSET IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - An example of a radio frequency (RF) transmitter system for communication may include a transmit pre-distortion module configured to provide a second transmit calibration signal during a transmit calibration mode based on a first transmit calibration signal and one or more transmit calibration adjustment signals. The one or more transmit calibration adjustment signals may include an offset parameter associated with DC offset and an imbalance parameter associated with at least one of gain and phase imbalances. The system may include a transmit channel frequency converter coupled to the transmit pre-distortion module. The transmit channel frequency converter may be configured to provide a fourth transmit calibration signal during the transmit calibration mode based on a third transmit calibration signal and a transmit reference signal. | 01-28-2010 |
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| 20090259306 | TRANSCATHETER HEART VALVE WITH MICRO-ANCHORS - Various embodiments of methods and apparatus for treating defective heart valve are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a transcatheter heart valve is disclosed that includes an expandable shape memory stent and a valve member supported by the stent. A plurality of micro-anchors can be disposed along an outer surface of the stent for engaging native tissue. The transcatheter heart valve can be configured to be advanced into a dilated valve annulus via a balloon catheter. The balloon can be inflated to expand the transcatheter heart valve from a collapsed diameter to an over-expanded diameter such that the micro-anchors engage tissue along the surrounding valve annulus. After engaging the tissue, the balloon can be deflated and the shape memory stent can retract or recoil toward its predetermined recoil diameter. As the stent recoils, the surrounding tissue is pulled inward by the stent such that the diameter of the valve annulus is reduced. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090276040 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REPLACING MITRAL VALVE - A prosthetic mitral valve assembly and method of inserting the same is disclosed. In certain disclosed embodiments, the prosthetic mitral valve assembly has a flared upper end and a tapered portion to fit the contours of the native mitral valve. The prosthetic mitral valve assembly can include a stent or outer support frame with a valve mounted therein, The assembly can be adapted to expand radially outwardly and into contact with the native tissue to create a pressure fit. One embodiment of a method includes positioning the mitral valve assembly below the annulus such that the annulus itself can restrict the assembly from moving in an upward direction towards the left atrium. The mitral valve assembly is also positioned so that the leaflets of the mitral valve hold the assembly to prevent downward movement of the assembly towards the left ventricle. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090319037 | RETAINING MECHANISMS FOR PROSTHETIC VALVES - Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used to deliver a prosthetic heart valve to a deficient valve. In one embodiment, for instance, a support stent is delivered to a position on the surface of the outflow side of a native heart valve of a patient, the support stent defining a support-stent interior. An expandable prosthetic heart valve is delivered into the native heart valve from the inflow side of the native heart valve and into the support-stent interior. The expandable prosthetic heart valve is expanded while the expandable prosthetic valve is in the support-stent interior and while the support stent is at the position on the surface of the outflow side of the heart valve, thereby causing one or more of the native leaflets of the native heart valve to be frictionally secured between the support stent and the expanded prosthetic heart valve. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100030330 | Device and method for mitral valve repair - Devices and methods for reshaping a mitral valve annulus are provided. One device according to the invention is configured for deployment in the right atrium and is shaped to apply a force along the atrial septum. The device causes the atrial septum to deform and push the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve in a posterior direction for reducing mitral valve regurgitation. Another embodiment of a device is deployed in the left ventricular outflow tract at a location adjacent the aortic valve. The device may be expandable for urging the anterior leaflet toward the posterior leaflet. Another embodiment of the device includes a first anchor, a second anchor, and a bridge, with the bridge having sufficient length to reach from the coronary sinus to the right atrium and/or superior or inferior vena cava. In a further embodiment a device includes a middle anchor positioned on the bridge between the distal and proximal anchors. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100042147 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPAIRING OR REPLACING CHORDAE TENDINAE - A method and apparatus for performing mitral valve chordal repair on a patient include attaching at least one filament to a mitral valve leaflet and to a papillary muscle. A first end of a filament can be attached to the mitral valve leaflet and the length of the filament can be adjusted by adjusting the tension of the filament in a catheter. The second end of the filament can be attached to an attachment site. | 02-18-2010 |
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| 20120016470 | TRANSCATHETER HEART VALVE WITH MICRO-ANCHORS - Various embodiments of methods and apparatus for treating defective heart valve are disclosed herein. In one exemplary embodiment, a transcatheter heart valve is disclosed that includes an expandable shape memory stent and a valve member supported by the stent. A plurality of micro-anchors can be disposed along an outer surface of the stent for engaging native tissue. The transcatheter heart valve can be configured to be advanced into a dilated valve annulus via a balloon catheter. The balloon can be inflated to expand the transcatheter heart valve from a collapsed diameter to an over-expanded diameter such that the micro-anchors engage tissue along the surrounding valve annulus. After engaging the tissue, the balloon can be deflated and the shape memory stent can retract or recoil toward its predetermined recoil diameter. As the stent recoils, the surrounding tissue is pulled inward by the stent such that the diameter of the valve annulus is reduced. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120029628 | METHOD OF RESHAPING A VENTRICLE - Methods for restoring the conical shape of a dilated heart ventricle, or at least reshaping the ventricle to a more conical shape to counter the effects of dilation, thereby improving pumping efficiency. In an exemplary embodiment, a reshaping apparatus comprises an implantable body that can be delivered to a dilated left ventricle via the patient's vasculature in a minimally-invasive procedure. When deployed inside the left ventricle, the body is adapted to apply a longitudinal (downward) force against the inner surface of the left ventricle that causes the ventricle to distend or elongate downwardly relative to the base of the heart so as to at least partially restore the conical shape of the heart. In other embodiments, one or more tension members can be secured to heart tissue inside a heart chamber or on the outside of the heart and placed in tension to reshape the geometry of the heart. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120253386 | APICAL PUNCTURE ACCESS AND CLOSURE SYSTEM - A device, system, and method for providing access to, and sealing of, a body organ includes an implant device. An implant device has a main body having an internal access lumen, with a plurality of prongs extending from a distal end of the main body. The main body can include two lumens, one slidable within the other, to form a single continuous lumen with an adjustable length. The main body has an expanded configuration with an expanded diameter, and an unexpanded configuration with an unexpanded diameter. The prongs have a generally straight configuration where they extend distally of the distal end of the main body, and a bent configuration where the prongs bend around so that their tips extend proximally of the distal end of the main body. The device may include a hemostatic barrier to prevent fluid leakage therethrough when the main body is in the unexpanded configuration. | 10-04-2012 |
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| 20080208327 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPLACING A PROSTHETIC VALVE - In one aspect, the present disclosure concerns a percutaneously delivered adapter stent that is deployed within a previously implanted prosthetic valve and serves as an anchor or platform for implanting a percutaneously delivered replacement valve within the previously implanted valve. The adapter stent can be delivered to the implantation site via the patient's vasculature and positioned within the previously implanted valve. The stent can then be deployed to cause the stent to expand and become anchored to the inner surface of the previously implanted valve. Subsequently, the replacement valve can be positioned within the adapter stent and deployed to cause the replacement valve to expand and become anchored to the adapter stent. The adapter stent and the replacement valve can be mounted on the same catheter for delivery to the implantation site. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080275549 | IMPLANTABLE PROSTHETIC VALVE WITH NON-LAMINAR FLOW - A valve prosthesis device is disclosed suitable for implantation in body ducts. The device comprises a support stent comprised of a deployable construction adapted to be initially crimped in a narrow configuration suitable for catheterization through the body duct to a target location and adapted to be deployed by exerting substantially radial forces from within by means of a deployment device to a deployed state in the target location, and a valve assembly comprising a flexible conduit having an inlet end and an outlet, made of pliant material attached to the support beams providing collapsible slack portions of the conduit at the outlet. The support stent is provided with a plurality of longitudinally rigid support beams of fixed length. When flow is allowed to pass through the valve prosthesis device from the inlet to the outlet the valve assembly is kept in an open position, whereas a reverse flow is prevented as the collapsible slack portions of the valve assembly collapse inwardly providing blockage to the reverse flow. The device is configured so that retrograde flow will be altered from laminar flow and directed towards the leaflets to effect closing. The device can be deployed in a native heart valve position using a deployment catheter advanced through a body lumen such as a blood vessel, including an aorta. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20110166636 | Method and Apparatus for Replacing a Prosthetic Valve - In one aspect, the present disclosure concerns a percutaneously delivered adapter stent that is deployed within a previously implanted prosthetic valve and serves as an anchor or platform for implanting a percutaneously delivered replacement valve within the previously implanted valve. The adapter stent can be delivered to the implantation site via the patient's vasculature and positioned within the previously implanted valve. The stent can then be deployed to cause the stent to expand and become anchored to the inner surface of the previously implanted valve. Subsequently, the replacement valve can be positioned within the adapter stent and deployed to cause the replacement valve to expand and become anchored to the adapter stent. The adapter stent and the replacement valve can be mounted on the same catheter for delivery to the implantation site. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110218619 | LOW-PROFILE HEART VALVE AND DELIVERY SYSTEM - Disclosed replacement heart valves can be designed to be delivered to a native valve site while crimped on a delivery catheter. The crimped profile of the replacement valve can be minimized by, for example, separating a frame or stent structure from a leaflet structure, along the axial direction. Disclosed replacement valves can be transitioned from a delivery configuration, in which the crimped profile can be minimized, to an operating configuration. The replacement valve can be fully assembled in both the delivery and operating configurations. In some embodiments, the leaflets can be positioned outside of the stent in the delivery configuration, and positioned inside of the stent lumen in the operating configuration. Disclosed replacement valves can include a flexible sleeve coupling the leaflets to the stent and facilitating the transition to the operating configuration. Methods of implanting said replacement valves are also disclosed. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20120158118 | IMPLANTABLE PROSTHETIC VALVE WITH NON-LAMINAR FLOW - A valve prosthesis device and methods for deployment is disclosed. The device comprises an expandable support stent and a valve assembly comprising a flexible conduit having an inlet end and an outlet, made of pliant material attached to the support beams providing collapsible slack portions of the conduit at the outlet. Flow is allowed to pass through the valve prosthesis device from the inlet to the outlet, but reverse flow is prevented as the collapsible slack portions of the valve assembly collapse inwardly. The device is configured so that retrograde flow will be altered from laminar flow and directed towards the leaflets to effect closing. The device can be deployed in a native heart valve position using a deployment catheter advanced through a body lumen such as a blood vessel, including an aorta. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20130030522 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR HEART TREATMENTS - A method and device for treating a heart by assisting one or more heart chambers to expand during diastole. The method comprises providing a plurality of anchoring members; providing an elongate member and a release mechanism connected to the elongate member, the release mechanism being configured to releasably engage with each of the plurality of anchoring members; the elongate member being configured to store energy exerted by a heart chamber during systole, and release the stored energy during diastole to assist the heart chamber to return to an uncompressed state; selecting one of the plurality of anchoring members; positioning the elongate member transverse a chamber of the heart; and engaging the release mechanism with the selected anchoring member so as to releasably attach the elongate member to the selected anchoring member. | 01-31-2013 |
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| 20080218863 | Color Compensating Retinal Safety Filter - A filter and method for filtering an optical beam are disclosed. One embodiment of the filter is an optical filter for filtering an incident light beam, comprising an optically effective material characterized by: a light transmittance of less than 1% for wavelengths below 420 nm; and a light transmittance for wavelengths complementary and near complementary to wavelengths below 420 nm that, combined with the transmittance for wavelengths below 420 nm, will yield a filtered light beam having a luminosity of about 90% and an excitation purity of 5% or less. The complementary wavelengths can be wavelengths above about 640 nm, wavelengths above about 660 nm, and/or wavelengths from about 540 nm to about 560 nm. Further, in one embodiment the difference between the light transmittance just below 420 nm and the light transmittance just above 420 nm can be greater than 90%. Above 420 nm, in some embodiments, the light transmittance can be arbitrarily determined. The optically effective material can be optical-grade glass, an optical-grade plastic or polymer, a thin-film dielectric coating, or an optical-grade glass or plastic coated with a dielectric coating. The optical filter can be mounted downstream of an illumination source exit aperture, wherein the illumination source produces the incident light beam, and upstream of a site to be illuminated by the filtered light beam. Alternatively, the optical filter can be operably mounted on a set of viewing optics of a surgical microscope to filter a reflected portion of a light beam produced by an illumination source and used to illuminate a site, such as a surgical site. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20090013780 | SINGLE LIGHT SOURCE UNIFORM PARALLEL LIGHT CURTAIN - A continuous high resolution fluid level monitoring system is provided by embodiments of the present invention. This continuous high resolution fluid level monitoring system includes a unique fluid level sensor having a point light source, parabolic reflector, sensor array, and detection, processing and control system. The point light source illumines a parabolic reflector wherein the point light source is located at the focus of the parabolic reflector. The parabolic reflector reflects light from the point light source to produce a parallel light curtain. This parallel light curtain is parallel to an axis of symmetry of the parabolic reflector. The parallel light curtain illumines a chamber such as a chamber in an ophthalmic surgical device used to contain surgical fluid. The sensor array coupled to the chamber detects the parallel light curtain illuminating the chamber. The sensor array provides an output to a detection/processing/control system in order to determine the fluid level within the chamber. This optical method of determining the surgical fluid levels may be advantageous in that it prevents physical contamination of the surgical fluids. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090103050 | OPTICAL INSTRUMENT ALIGNMENT SYSTEM - An ophthalmic apparatus for precisely positioning an optical instrument, such as a wavefront aberrometer, in three dimensions with respect to a patient's eye. The ophthalmic apparatus may include an optical instrument directed in a first direction toward a target area to receive light therefrom and a camera directed in a second direction toward the target area to receive light therefrom, the first and second directions being non-parallel. The camera may include imaging optics to form an optical image on a photodetector array using light reflected from the target area. The ophthalmic apparatus may also include a processor configured to correlate a position of the optical image on the photodetector array with the distance between the optical instrument and the target area. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20110106068 | FOOTSWITCH OPERABLE TO CONTROL A SURGICAL SYSTEM - The present invention provides a surgical footswitch that includes a base, a pedal, an encoder assembly, a wireless interface, and an internal power generator. The pedal mounts upon the base and pivots. The encoder assembly couples to the pedal. As the pedal pivots, the encoder assembly translates the mechanical signal of the pedal into a control signal based on the pedals position and/or orientation. The wireless interface couples the encoder assembly to receive the control signal. The wireless interface also couples the surgical footswitch to a surgical console operable to control and direct surgical equipment. The wireless interface passes the control signal from the encoder to the surgical console, which then directs the surgical equipment based on the control signal. This wireless interface eliminates the tangle of wires or tethers, which may be a hazard in the surgical theater. The internal power generator translates footswitch movement into stored energy to eliminate potential failures of the footswitch during a procedure and overcome the need to replace batteries within the footswitch. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110181836 | PHANTOM FOR RENDERING BIOLOGICAL TISSUE REGIONS - Models of anatomical parts and methods utilizing and fabricating such anatomical models are provided. The model can include an assembly of one or more optically transmissive media having a first portion and a second portion. The one or more optically transmissive media can be configured to provide similar optical properties as that between two regions of the anatomical part. For example, in an example eye model, the two regions can be a corneal surface and/or retina regions of an eye. A rendered retina can be formed in the second portion of the assembly and can be representative of the retina of the eye. The rendered retina can have one or more features associated with the retina of the eye. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20110304906 | COLOR COMPENSATING RETINAL SAFETY FILTER - A filter and method for filtering an optical beam are disclosed. One embodiment of the filter is an optical filter for filtering an incident light beam, comprising an optically effective material characterized by: a light transmittance of less than 1% for wavelengths below 420 nm; and a light transmittance for wavelengths complementary and near complementary to wavelengths below 420 nm that, combined with the transmittance for wavelengths below 420 nm, will yield a filtered light beam having a luminosity of about 90% and an excitation purity of 5% or less. The complementary wavelengths can be wavelengths above about 640 nm, wavelengths above about 660 nm, and/or wavelengths from about 540 nm to about 560 nm. Further, in one embodiment the difference between the light transmittance just below 420 nm and the light transmittance just above 420 nm can be greater than 90%. Above 420 nm, in some embodiments, the light transmittance can be arbitrarily determined. The optically effective material can be optical-grade glass, an optical-grade plastic or polymer, a thin-film dielectric coating, or an optical-grade glass or plastic coated with a dielectric coating. The optical filter can be mounted downstream of an illumination source exit aperture, wherein the illumination source produces the incident light beam, and upstream of a site to be illuminated by the filtered light beam. Alternatively, the optical filter can be operably mounted on a set of viewing optics of a surgical microscope to filter a reflected portion of a light beam produced by an illumination source and used to illuminate a site, such as a surgical site. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20120092619 | HANDHELD REFLECTOMETER FOR MEASURING MACULAR PIGMENT - A macular pigment reflectometer is handheld, light, and portable. It can be provided as a part of a self-contained system. The self-contained system includes a docking station in which the macular pigment reflectometer is placed between uses. The docking station is used to recharge the battery of the handheld macular pigment reflectometer. The docking station also has one or more types of communication ports, such as one for a wired or wireless internet connection, through which the handheld macular pigment reflectometer can communicate with a computer or an electronic medical records system. The instrument operates in a pulsed operating mode wherein relative instrument-to-eye motion is reduced and, preferably, nearly eliminated. The handheld macular pigment reflectometer contains an on-board spectrometer which is designed to capture spectra in very short intervals of time. A trigger on the instrument allows for a rapid, intuitive, and sequential alignment followed by rapid data gathering. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120140511 | Method and system for correcting an optical beam - Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for shaping an annular focal spot pattern to allow for more efficient optical coupling to a small gauge optical fiber. An embodiment of the present invention can include an illumination source operable to transmit an optical beam along an optical path, an optical fiber, and a correcting element positioned in the optical path between the illumination source and the optical fiber, the correcting element configured to reshape the optical beam to increase an amount of light received by the optical fiber. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20130070203 | OPTICAL INSTRUMENT ALIGNMENT SYSTEM - An ophthalmic apparatus for precisely positioning an optical instrument, such as a wavefront aberrometer, in three dimensions with respect to a patient's eye. The ophthalmic apparatus may include an optical instrument directed in a first direction toward a target area to receive light therefrom and a camera directed in a second direction toward the target area to receive light therefrom, the first and second directions being non-parallel. The camera may include imaging optics to form an optical image on a photodetector array using light reflected from the target area. The ophthalmic apparatus may also include a processor configured to correlate a position of the optical image on the photodetector array with the distance between the optical instrument and the target area. | 03-21-2013 |
